A top coronavirus adviser to Donald Trump encouraged Michigan residents to “rise up” against restrictions placed on schools and businesses to combat a surge of COVID-19.
Scott Atlas, a member of the White House coronavirus task force with no formal training in infectious disease, quoted a tweet outlining a new order from Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer encouraging residents to protest.
“The only way this stops is if people rise up. You get what you accept,” Atlas tweeted on Sunday.
Atlas then walked back his comment a few hours later, saying he meant peaceful protest and did not intend to promote a violent response to the restrictions.
“Hey. I NEVER was talking at all about violence. People vote, people peacefully protest. NEVER would I endorse or incite violence. NEVER!!” the tweet read.
In response to a growing number of coronavirus cases in Michigan, Whitmer closed in-person learning for high school and colleges, organized sports, theaters, and indoor dining.
According to the Huffington Post, Michigan had its worst week of infections last week, with more than 44,000 new cases and 416 deaths.
Whitmer was the subject of kidnapping plots by right-wing groups in October over her coronavirus policies. Altogether, 13 people are facing charges in connection with the different plots against the governor. Six suspects are facing federal conspiracy charges, and another seven are facing charges on the state level.
https://twitter.com/ScottWAtlas/status/1328171502211043328?s=20
