Whitmer Says Fears of Trump Using Federal Force in Elections Are 'Not Paranoia'
In an NPR interview at the Detroit Auto Show, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said it would be a 'mistake' to assume pro‑Trump forces—or the Trump administration itself—won’t try to disrupt ballot counting in 2026 and 2028, and argued it is 'not paranoia' to worry that Trump’s immigration crackdowns and deployments of thousands of federal agents could be repurposed as tools of election control. Whitmer said Democratic governors are conducting tabletop exercises to prepare for possible interference but declined to give operational details, citing security concerns. She also warned that Trump’s tariffs have 'taken a terrible toll' on Michigan’s auto industry, saying globalized supply chains and billions in added costs are contributing to a contraction in U.S. manufacturing even as some union leaders publicly back tariffs. Looking ahead to 2028, Whitmer—term‑limited and not currently a candidate, but often mentioned for national office—said Democrats must confront why younger and working‑class men are drifting away from the party, noting that women signed up for college, skills programs and first‑home aid at roughly twice the rate of men in Michigan. Her comments feed into broader national debates over how far Trump might go in using federal power around elections, and whether Democrats can reconnect with male voters angered by economic and cultural shifts.
📌 Key Facts
- Whitmer told NPR on Jan. 20, 2026 that 'it would be a mistake' to assume Trump‑aligned forces will not attempt to interfere with ballot counting in 2026 and 2028.
- She said Democratic governors are running 'table top' exercises to prepare for possible disruptions, but withheld specifics.
- Whitmer argued fears that Trump’s large‑scale immigration crackdowns and federal deployments could be used to control elections are 'not paranoia.'
- She said Trump’s tariffs have 'taken a terrible toll' on Michigan auto manufacturing, contributing to job losses despite some union leaders’ support for tariffs.
- Whitmer noted Michigan programs for college/skills training and first‑home help saw women sign up at about a 2‑to‑1 ratio over men, highlighting a Democratic engagement gap with men.
📊 Relevant Data
The Insurrection Act has been invoked approximately 30 times in U.S. history, with the most recent invocation in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush during the Los Angeles riots following the Rodney King verdict.
Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act (again). What is it? — NPR
In 2025, Stellantis reported an expected $2.7 billion loss in the first half of the year, partially attributed to Trump's tariffs on auto imports, contributing to broader contractions in U.S. manufacturing and job losses in the sector.
The misery of auto tariffs is hitting families and factories — The Hill
In the U.S. motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment manufacturing industry, women comprise 26.4% of employed persons, compared to 47% in the overall workforce, indicating a male-dominated field.
Employed persons by detailed industry, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity — Bureau of Labor Statistics
In the U.S. motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment manufacturing industry, Black workers comprise 16.5% of employed persons, compared to about 14% of Michigan's overall population, showing overrepresentation relative to state demographics.
Employed persons by detailed industry, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity — Bureau of Labor Statistics
In Michigan, women outnumber men in college enrollment at approximately 55% female to 45% male, and in state programs like Michigan Reconnect for free community college tuition, women participate at a 2-to-1 ratio over men.
Whitmer to target male 'gender gap' across Michigan community colleges — Detroit One Million
Michigan's population growth from 2023 to 2024 was primarily driven by international migration, with the Hispanic population in Macomb and Oakland counties growing by 10% since 2020 and Asian American populations in Metro Detroit increasing by 8% from 2023 to 2024.
Michigan's Population Is Growing, But Not For the Reasons You'd Think — Enjoyer
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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