Republican leaders of the Michigan House of Representatives have removed Democratic Rep. Cynthia Johnson from her committee assignments over statements she made in a video posted to Facebook.
Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield Speaker-elect Jason Wentworth issued a joint news release, accusing her of making threats.
The politicians called Johnson’s remarks “unacceptable and un-American.”
“We have been consistent in our position on this – violence and intimidation is never appropriate in politics. We have said that about threats against Gov. [Gretchen] Whitmer, Secretary [Jocelyn] Benson, Rep. Johnson herself, and others. That applies to threats made toward public officials, and it must also apply when the threats come from public officials,” the statement continued.
Johnson used the three-minute Facebook video to address law enforcement tracing someone who made a threat against her before issuing what she called a warning.
“So, this is just a warning to you Trumpers. Be careful. Walk lightly. We ain’t playing with you. Enough of the shenanigans. Enough is enough,” Johnson states in the video. “And for those of you who are soldiers, you know how to do it. Do it right. Be in order. Make them pay. I love y’all.”
House Democratic Leader Christine Greig and Democratic Leader-elect Donna Lasinski also issued a joint statement:
“There is no doubt that this election cycle has been rife with hyper-partisan political rhetoric, theatrics, and dangerous threats of violence toward elected and public officials and their loved ones, which continue to escalate amid the most significant public health crisis in our state and country.”
“The overheated language of the statement issued by [House] Speaker [Lee] Chatfield and Speaker-elect [Jason] Wentworth, illustrates that the Republicans prioritize partisan politics and political theater over healing the wounds of division, preserving the well-being of the Legislature as an institution, protecting the safety of members, and acting on the needs of the people of Michigan.”
