This column originally appeared in the Detroit News.

At least 1,947 Michigan nursing home patients have died of COVID-19 since the middle of March. That’s 650 each month — more than 20 per day. 

Those numbers aren’t anecdotes, and they’re not just statistics — though they’re still likely an “undercount.”  They’re not yesterday’s news or a sidebar story in Michigan’s war against COVID-19.

They’re the faces of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s astoundingly anti-science response to the pandemic. They’re our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, friends. 

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is headed back to court, after the Honest Elections Project reviewed voter rolls across the state of Michigan and found some shocking numbers.

“Obviously we, like states across the country… have been learning an incredible amount about COVID 19, it being a novel virus.  The amount that we’ve learned just in the last eight weeks is dramatically different from what we knew as we were watching the cases exponentially rise.  The clear indication is that older people are more susceptible and at congregate care facilities, that is exacerbated.”

“Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies… tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies."

- Fleetwood Mac (1987)

Governor Gretchen Whitmer isn’t being completely transparent with you about the COVID-19 public health crisis – or her response to it.

This column first appeared in The Detroit News.

The New York Times editorial board assailed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for moves she’s made to hide data and public records from voters and the media in the midst of the global COVID-19 health crisis.

The Gray Lady blistered Whitmer, claiming she’s “trampled” open records laws. Their criticism merely amplified a growing murmur and dissatisfaction with Whitmer’s nontransparent handling of the crisis, particularly her penchant for hiding the science and data she claims guide her decision-making. 

This year, I had the privilege of interning with the Michigan Freedom Fund (MFF). The atmosphere at the Freedom Fund office is really unlike any other. You are surrounded by strong work ethics, passion, and perseverance. When arriving at the office for the first time and getting oriented to my new internship, I noticed a quote above a doorway that really resonated with me and defines MFF’s commitment to their mission: “No one is coming. It’s up to us.” That was when I realized I was going to be working with, and learning from, people who are totally vested in principles that advance individual liberty, limited government, transparency, and protect our Bill of Rights.

This week in Lansing, Governor Gretchen Whitmer provided a crystal clear and frightening look behind the curtain when asked by the press why she hasn’t removed her boot from the throats of millions of workers she’s blocked from earning a living.

Holding Governor Whitmer accountable for her draconian power grabs starts with ensuring citizens and watchdogs have access to public records.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer doesn’t care about your Constitutional rights, and she proved yesterday she’s eager to destroy anyone who stands up for them.