Whitmer Addresses COVID Restrictions on Financial Podcast
Michigan’s Democratic Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, was recently questioned about the state’s COVID-19 restrictions during a financial discussion on Caleb Hammer’s show, “The Financial Audit.” Hammer, who has over 2.6 million subscribers on YouTube, is known for his open dialogues about financial matters. Interestingly, Whitmer was his first political guest.
Diving into their conversation, Whitmer reminisced about the holidays, saying, “When I went home for Christmas two years in a row, I was a little frustrated. I had to eat outside, which felt strange, but then I came back here and it was like everything changed.” Hammer followed up by pondering, “If we’re allowed to be outside, why can’t we be inside?”
While responding, Whitmer acknowledged the oddity of the situation, commenting on how different it felt to be outside in Michigan during winter compared to Texas. She also mentioned that it was challenging for everyone when there was limited information during those times. “None of us want to go back and relive that,” she said. “We were just trying to make the best of a tough situation.”
Whitmer’s handling of the pandemic, particularly her lockdown measures, has drawn criticism from Republicans. She faced backlash in May 2021 when a photo surfaced of her socializing with a crowd in violation of her own state’s COVID guidelines, which permitted only six people at restaurant tables.
Aside from COVID topics, Hammer inquired about issues like cash bail and the rising political extremism. Whitmer addressed the complexity of non-cash bail, sharing her concern that those without financial resources often face harsher penalties than those who can afford to pay fines.
In discussing crime rates, Hammer noted that a small fraction of people with multiple violent offenses contributes to a significant percentage of violent crimes. He raised the question of whether emerging cash-free bail systems truly benefit communities or compromise safety.
While Whitmer acknowledged the concerns about recidivism, she pointed out that there will always be unique cases that challenge general trends. Despite her political journey, and ongoing speculation about a presidential run, she hinted last month that she might not seek the White House in 2028.
