President Donald Trump loves to skewer his political opponents, but he had nothing but praise for Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during a White House visit Wednesday.
Whitmer’s response to the meeting wasn’t as enthusiastic.
The former Harris campaign ally visited the White House to advocate for issues important to her state, including keeping an Air National Guard base open and an invasive species out of Lake Michigan.
But she ended up being on hand in the Oval Office while Trump signed executive orders and took questions on a range of issues, some prosaic and others highly controversial, for nearly an hour. Trump signed two presidential memoranda revoking security clearances for former Homeland Security officials, one who angered him for saying the 2020 election was secure and another who wrote a critical book about him. He also signed an order rolling back water conservation standards for showerheads.
“I think he’s guilty of treason if you want to know the truth,” Trump said of Miles Taylor, one of the officials he revoked clearances for.
In discussing the other official, Christopher Krebs, Trump slammed his assessment that the 2020 election was the most secure in U.S. history.
“It was a very corrupt election,” Trump said. “They used COVID to cheat.”
Whitmer stood by watching with Trump administration officials and the media.
A spokesperson for the potential 2028 presidential contender later said she wasn’t aware she would be pulled into the executive order signing event.
“The governor was surprised that she was brought into the Oval Office during President Trump’s press conference without any notice of the subject matter,” the spokesperson said. “Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event.”
Trump, meanwhile, was eager to play up the “bipartisan” nature of protecting Lake Michigan as he faces intense partisan pushback to his whirlwind first two months in office, which has included rolling back dozens of environmental regulations. And he was effusive in complimenting Whitmer, a notable contrast to the harsh words he has for many other Democrats.
“We’re honored to have Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan, great state of Michigan… she’s really done an excellent job. A very good person,” Trump said.
A two-term governor who is term limited from running again, Whitmer campaigned against Trump. But since the election she has vowed to work with him on issues that benefit Michigan residents.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a discussion of domestic and foreign policy priorities with Gretchen Carlson, in Washington D.C., U.S., April 9, 2025.
Before the Oval Office visit, Whitmer delivered a speech near the White House that criticized Trump’s approach to tariffs while also pointing out areas of agreement.
“While I share the president’s goal of bringing good-paying manufacturing jobs back, it’s got to be done right,” Whitmer said.
Whitmer’s Washington speech could increase speculation that she is eyeing a presidential bid in 2028. She co-chaired Democrat Kamala Harris’ 2024 campaign and was viewed as a possible running mate.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump praises Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
