Waterford Today

Michigan Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford) is calling for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's state control to come to an end, according to a video posted on Maddock's Facebook page.

"I'm equally as upset as you are," Maddock said during the video. "What the governor did today is unconstitutional and unlawful. What she did yesterday is just completely embarrassing. What does COVID have to do with racism? Calling our health care workers racist? Give me a break. We need to stop her."

Maddock says Whitmer has overstepped her authority.

Rep. Matt Maddock | Michigan House Republicans

"We need to stop this unlawful authority that she thinks she has," Maddock said in the video. "Many of you have been asking me and other legislators what we've been doing the last five months. Well, I'll tell you. We have an unmitigated disaster on our hands the last five months dealing with hundreds of thousands of unemployment claims. We still have, to this day, people that cannot get paid that are going without food."

Maddock said it doesn't matter how bad COVID-19 is; it should never cause Michiganders to abandon their representative form of government.

"Regarding the lawsuit that we have, like I said, don't put all your faith in that because that could come down to one decision," Maddock told his Facebook followers. "We're hoping that the court is going to go ahead and restore and respect the fact that we should have a representative form of government, but who knows what's going to happen."

Maddock feels the entire situation is completely political. "To force us to wear masks — what's she going to do next?" Maddock asked his constituents. "Suspend our elections? She could do it, right?"

Maddock questioned if perhaps Whitmer would suspend term limits or courts next.

"You name it, they will try it," Maddock continued. "There was a time when Democrats had some sort of... respect for authority. Today they have no respect for authority. They are completely abusing their authority, and that is clearly evident."

Maddock said Republicans can't fight Whitmer without the help of their constituents.

"We can't do this alone without you at this point," Maddock explained. "We are in the midst of a constitutional crisis. We have no idea what she is going to do next. But I can tell you, there's a couple things that you can do."

Maddock urged Michiganders to contact their local sheriffs and police departments and ask them to put out public statements on whether they are willing to enforce Whitmer's orders. He said that Michiganders can also participate in online petition ballot drives.

"One of them is to recall the governor," Maddock said in the video. "There's two or three more out there also. UnlockMichigan.com is a direct petition drive to repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers Act. You can go to that website, too."

Maddock said at this point, the state is in an unprecedented situation.

"We need you to stand behind us," Maddock said on Facebook. "The legislative body is doing everything we can. We're in uncharted territory, and we need your help."