After Entertaining Trump’s Election Lies, Mike Shirkey Criticizes FBI For Warning Against Armed Protests At State Capitols

Following the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building last week, the FBI is warning that Trump supporters are plotting armed protests at all 50 state capitols. The Michigan Advance reported today that State Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey downplayed the credible threats of violence during a radio interview, saying the FBI’s warning “hurts my heart” [00:54], and isn’t “necessary” [01:02].

Shirkey also questioned the Michigan state police’s recommendation to build a fence around the state capitol building to guard against violent protests.

Shirkey thinks he knows better than law enforcement – even after sharing the stage at an anti-COVID-19 safety measures rally with one of the men later charged with attempting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

In addition to palling around with conspiracy theorists and kidnappers, Shirkey has egged on the violence against politicians, saying in May: “Sometimes politicians get it backward. That’s when these groups need to stand up and test that assertion of authority by the government. We need you now more than ever.”

Shirkey also made light of the attempt to kidnap Gov. Whitmer, entertained Trump’s attempts to overturn the election by attending a White House meeting, and refused to support banning guns at the Michigan state house following armed protests which are now being seen as trial runs for the deadly Capitol attack.

“Just because Mike Shirkey’s ‘heart hurts’ doesn’t mean the threat of political violence isn’t real,” said DGA Deputy Communications Director Christina Amestoy. “The Capitol attack and the attempt on Gov. Whitmer’s life has made it clear that Republicans’ violent rhetoric put public servants across the country at risk. Shirkey needs to stop undermining law enforcement and take the threat of political violence caused by members of his party seriously.”