President Donald Trump doesn't take criticism lightly. So when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer criticized his handling of the coronavirus crisis, Trump shot back, referring to her on Twitter as "Half-Whitmer." Other negative comments clearly reflected his disdain for her.
Now, Trump's Republican allies try to discourage him from a politically risky feud during an election year, the Associated Press reports.
“I did relay to the administration that I didn’t think it was helpful and why play that game,” says Rep Paul Mitchell of the Saginaw area. “These are times when the American people look for leaders. Leaders don’t whine. Leaders don’t blame."
Mitchell said he raised similar concerns with Whitmer's office, suggesting her criticisms have not necessarily been accurate.
“Everyone should be shedding the partisanship and coming together,” Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told AP when asked about Trump's attacks.
“I am rooting for Gov. Whitmer,” said McDaniel, a Michigan resident. “I think she’s done good things. ... I just didn't like her trying to lay every problem at the president’s feet.”
