DETROIT – State and local leaders are responding to comments made by President Donald Trump regarding elections in Detroit.
Trump has been floating an idea to nationalize elections, and even mentioned Detroit specifically during a White House event on Wednesday.
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“Go to 2020 and look at the facts that are coming out, rigged, crooked elections,” said Trump. “If we have areas… take a look at Detroit, take a look at Pennsylvania, take a look at Philadelphia. You go take a look at Atlanta, look at some of the places, horrible corruption on elections. And the federal government should not allow that. The federal government should get involved.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hit back at the idea in a statement:
“Michigan’s elections are safe and secure. They will continue to be run at the state level as clearly stated in the United States Constitution.
“Let me be very clear: any attempt by the federal government to take over Michigan elections should be viewed as an attempt to take away Michiganders’ constitutional right to vote. It won’t happen on my watch.
“Our nation has a long, proud history of running decentralized federal elections, a system designed by our founding fathers to protect our nation against anyone who would seek to take and hold power illegitimately or by force. Because of that system, America remains the longest-running representative democracy in the world. We set a powerful example that we ought to follow.
“More than 1,600 Republican, Democratic, and independent clerks across Michigan and the Secretary of State ensure that every citizen can vote and have their vote counted. We certify the accurate results, no matter who wins, and we wish the next officeholder the best of luck as they seek to bring people together and lead us forward.
“That’s what we do in Michigan, and it ought to be how we do things across the nation. This November, Michiganders will work together once again to run another safe, secure election. We will do our constitutional duty, without interference. We will honor the results. And we will move forward together.”
Michigan Gov. Whitmer
Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey also responded in a statement:
In recent days, the president has called for a national takeover of the administration of
Detroit elections. Again, I must state what all Detroiters know to be true: Detroit has a
history of fair and transparent election administration. Any move to take over Detroit
elections would be partisan politics at its worst.
Detroit stands on a firm record of fair and transparent elections. Our elections were fair and transparent before 2020, in 2020 and continue to be in every election since 2020.
Additionally, our election results have consistently been certified by the Wayne County
Board of Canvassers. In recent years, the Board has formally commended the Detroit
Department of Elections for significant improvements in election administration and for the accuracy of our results.
These acknowledgements reflect the professionalism, diligence, and integrity of the
election staff who serve the voters of Detroit. The Department remains committed to
continuous improvement, transparency, and maintaining public confidence in the
electoral process.
There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud related to the 2020 presidential election.