Politics
Gretchen Whitmer talks to Bustle about putting her executive toolbox to use.
On May 2, Gov.
Of all the emotions that ran through her head, surprise wasnt one of them.
I feel so whipsawed in this moment.
There are no exceptions for rape or incest.
The law has never been repealed or overridden in the state legislature, which has historically beencontrolled by Republicans.
I dont know that Ive got the appropriate vocabulary to describe just how devastating that prospect is.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat,said she will refuseto enforce this draconian law.
The court has yet to accept the case.
Simultaneously, the pro-choice group Reproductive Freedom for Allis collecting signaturesto put the issue on Novembers ballot.
They need roughly 425,000 signatures by July 11 to do so.
Bustle spoke with Whitmer about what this moment means and her plan to maintain reproductive choice in Michigan.
When you first saw the news, whom did you contact first?
Shes always an immediate touchpoint for me when Im looking at what the ramifications are going to be.
What was the conversation like with your daughters?
Theyre 18 and 20.
You filed your lawsuit in early April.
At what point did you realize you needed to do something preemptively?
The Midwest doesnt have many haven states for people to go to.
Help me understand what it would be like to need an abortion in Michigan if Roe is overturned.
Right now, Michigan is a haven.
Michigan women have had these protected rights for 49 years my whole lifetime, essentially.
If Michigan reverts to this 1931 law, those women will have to travel farther.
And frankly, a lot of women dont have the ability to travel.
If this 1931 law goes into effect, what guarantees that people wouldnt be prosecuted?
I dont think thats enough to give clinics assurance to continue operating.
And the rights of Michigan women shouldnt be determined by the leadership in 83 different counties.
Thats why our state Supreme Court has to take this case.
Frankly, any person who performs an abortion could be prosecuted as a felony.
Has the Michigan Supreme Court officially accepted the case?
They have not yet made any sort of formal response to the request.
When do you expect to hear something from the court?
Im hoping they move fast.
So there is no timeline for the case at this point?
But thepressure is mounting, and Im hopeful that means theyre trying to figure out how they proceed.
And you do think the court will act?
Theres not a body of case law to tell you precisely how this should play out.
Were in uncharted territory.
Im not going to get too discouraged that they havent acted yet.
That being said, were going to continue to push because this is urgent.
Do you feel like what youre doing can be a model for other governors?
Im using every tool at my disposal and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.
What do you think President Biden should do?
Im not in a position to opine on all the different things the president could do.
Its fundamental to being an American citizen to have the right to make choices around your body.
What advice do you have for people in Michigan right now?
Carry petitions, collect signatures for the ballot initiative, knock doors.
It sounds like you supportthe petition.
Why do you support it?
This doesnt go along partisan lines.
If we put the issue in front of the people, we think well win.
We anticipate well win.
But weve got to get it on the ballot.
My work on the lawsuit is one tool were using to protect womens rights.
Have you had any kind of close encounters with the decision to have an abortion?
This law gives women who find themselves in that situation no ability to make that choice.
Thats just incredibly depraved and sick and backward, and thats how high the stakes are.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onMay 9, 2022
