Jewish Dems: “Shame on President Trump for Emboldening Hatred” of Michigan Protests and Calling Extremists “Very Good People”

WASHINGTON – Following President Trump’s reference to armed protesters yesterday in the Michigan State Capitol as “very good people,” Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) Executive Director Halie Soifer issued the following statement:

“It is utterly depraved for an elected official – the President of the United States – to call a heavily-armed militia, classified as an antigovernment extremist group, ‘very good people’ when they are threatening a governor for taking public health-informed steps to protect her constituents. Well, it happens to be the same depraved elected official who called neo-Nazis marching in Charlottesville ‘very fine people’ less than three years ago.

“Two weeks ago, President Trump perilously goaded those protesting social-distancing measures to ‘liberate Michigan.’ Yesterday, they attempted to do just that by storming the State Capitol in my hometown of Lansing, armed with assault weapons, in a protest that also included images of swastikas and comparisons of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to Hitler.

“Shame on President Trump for emboldening hatred, extremism and civil unrest at any time, but especially amid a national public health crisis when our communities need and demand real leadership. His actions and words are an unconscionable danger to all Americans, and we’re doing everything we can to ensure he is defeated in November.”

Please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in speaking with Halie Soifer further.