(WWJ/AP) A Republican lawmaker from Michigan has been disciplined for not denouncing potential violence at the state Capitol before Democratic presidential electors met to vote for Joe Biden, who won the state over President Donald Trump.
State Rep. Gary Eisen of St. Clair Township told Port Huron radio station WPHM-AM on Monday that he planned to help with an unspecified “Hail Mary” GOP plan to challenge the election, conceding the “uncharted” action likely would not change the result.
Eisen then replied "no" when asked by the host if he could assure him it was going to be a "safe day in Lansing and that nobody is going to be hurt."
House Speaker Lee Chatfield and Speaker-elect Jason Wentworth, both Republicans, removed Eisen from committees in the closing days of the two-year session. In a statement, they said threats or suggestions of violence in politics are never acceptable, including “when the public officials open the door to violent behavior and refuse to condemn it. We must do better.”
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Chatfield added in a tweet Monday morning: "Threats of violence, or a refusal to denounce it, will not be tolerated in the Michigan House. Last week, a Democrat was removed from her committees. Today, a Republican has been too. We will not condone this behavior. In a Republic, we settle our differences on Election Day."
Replying to Chatfield on twitter, some followers expressed displeasure with his position.
@MimagaC wrote: "Lee you are just not getting it. If people don't think the elections on election day are fair then waiting for that day is pointless. We want to make sure we are not voting on those same machines in 2022. Haven't heard your solution for that yet sir. Hearings is not enough."
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And @JAM4663 replied: "We don’t always settle them in a voting booth. Sometimes we settle them on a battlefield. Without the battlefield, there would’ve been no republic. Do your job and do not certify this election."
@TheSheaCat took a different stance, chiding Chatfield himself for his actions since Election Day: "Just a thought, but I bet if you hadn't flown to DC with a private, behind closed doors meeting with a man attempting a coup, there would be less violent rhetoric right now. Call me crazy."
The 16 electors and top Democratic state officials gathered in the Senate chamber Monday afternoon, as Michigan's electors cast their 16 votes for President-elect Biden, who reclaimed the battleground state for Democrats.
Legislative offices were closed because of threats of violence.
The Capitol, meantime, remains closed to the public because of coronavirus restrictions.
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