WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 16: Member of the White House's coronavirus task force Dr. Scott Atlas speaks to the press as U.S. President Donald J. Trump looks on during a news conference in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on September 16, 2020 in Washington, DC. Trump continues to trail challenger Joe Biden in the polls with the election less than two months away.
On Monday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) blasted White House coronavirus task adviser Scott Atlas for urging Americans to “rise up” against pandemic restrictions that required mask-wearing and social-distancing.
Whitmer said Atlas’ recent tweet “actually took my breath away, to tell you the truth.”
“The only way this stops is if people rise up. You get what you accept. #FreedomMatters #StepUp,” Atlas tweeted in response to Michigan’s extended halt on in-door activities.
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On Sunday night, the adviser clarified confusion surrounding his “rise up” tweet through another tweet, explaining that his tweet was not meant to incite violence.
Atlas commented, “NEVER was talking at all about violence. People vote, people peacefully protest. NEVER would I endorse or incite violence. NEVER!!”
With no experience in infectious diseases or epidemiology, Atlas has previously criticized similar pandemic restrictions and downplayed the severity of the virus.
Whitmer was the subject of a right-wing plot to kidnap her and put her on trial for her COVID-19 restrictions.
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