(WWJ) A Democratic state representative in Michigan is under fire, and investigation, over social media remarks directed toward supporters of President Donald Trump.
WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick reports that, after she said she was threatened with lynching, Rep. Cynthia Johnson of Detroit put out a message in a Facebook video:
“So this is just a warning to you Trumpers: Be careful. Walk lightly. We ain’t playing with you. Enough of the shenanigans. Enough is enough. And for those of you who are soldiers, you know how to do it. Do it right. Be in order. Make them pay."
**Note — The following video is unedited and does contain profanity:
In the same video, however, Johnson urged her supporters to "do things right and in order," and to "be smart," telling them: "Don't get upset with folks," or cuss people out, because "it never works." Instead, she said, hit them "in the pocketbook."
While all of those lines are open to interpretation, Skubick said, they did not sit well with legislative leaders.
Johnson has already lost four committee seats over the remarks, and there could be more displinary action to come against the first-term legislator.
House Speaker Lee Chatfield of Levering and Speaker-elect Jason Wentworth of Farwell said, in a joint statement:
“Threats to either Democrats or Republicans are unacceptable and un-American. They’re even more unbecoming of an elected official,” adding that violence and intimidation is never appropriate in politics. “That applies to threats made toward public officials, and it must also apply when the threats come from public officials. Behavior like this will not be tolerated this term or next.”
Meanwhile, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said calls have been pouring into her office about the matter.
She urged Johnson and anyone else threatened with violence to contact police.
“The threats Rep. Johnson has received are appalling, ugly and deeply disturbing, but her response to those messages is also unacceptable and I strongly condemn both," Nessel said. "My office has received a number of calls and emails from residents about these incidents. I must remind people that if they have been threatened or if they fear for their safety, the appropriate thing to do is to call your local police department or 911, if it’s an emergency, so that law enforcement officers can respond."
Nessel continued: "As Michiganders, and as Americans, we cannot allow hateful rhetoric from a few individuals to drag the masses down into a spiral of unjust actions. It is never acceptable for anyone – especially a public servant – to incite violence or to threaten others with harm. When vigilantes assume justice is theirs to serve, our democracy suffers. It’s time for us to move forward together as a state instead of engaging in – or celebrating – actions of hate and divisiveness.”