President Donald Trump supported right-wing social distancing protestors in a series of tweets Friday calling for the states to “LIBERATE” and ease coronavirus-related restrictions.

He wrote “LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” and “LIBERATE MICHIGAN,” after protests broke out in both states.

More than 1,000 protesters jammed traffic near the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan earlier this week, complaining that the state’s shelter in place order — which was extended through the end of April — threatens small businesses. Other protestors who weren’t in vehicles waved Trump banners and chanted about Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, saying “lock her up.”

Whitmer said the protest at the State Capitol “the kind of behavior that extends the need for stay-at-home orders.”

“It was a political rally that is going to endanger people’s lives because this is precisely how COVID-19 spreads,” she told MSNBC on Thursday.

In St. Paul, Minnesota, a group called “Liberate Minnesota” protested the state lockdown in front of Gov. Tim Walz‘s home. The protest violated stay-at-home orders, as it was not “essential” travel/business.

Trump also called for the liberation of Virginia, and urged residents to “save your great 2nd Amendment.”

Although gun stores in Virginia remain open through the statewide stay-at-home order, indoor gun ranges have been closed — a decision that angered many gun rights groups and activists.

When about the president’s tweet during a virus news briefing Friday, Virginia’s Gov. Ralph Northam (D) responded, “I do not have time to involve myself in Twitter wars.”

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Katherine Huggins

Article by Katherine Huggins

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