Democrats in Detroit are planning to censure Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-MI) for crediting President Donald Trump with saving her life after she experienced a severe case of the coronavirus.
Whitsett said she was diagnosed with the coronavirus and used hydroxychloroquine to treat her illness. The drug is typically used for malaria patients. However, the drug’s effectiveness has not been proven to treat patients with the coronavirus
and the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning after several people who’ve used the medication have died.The drug has also been touted by President Donald Trump as an effective treatment for the coronavirus. Whitsett later visited the White House and has repeatedly offered praise for the president since overcoming the virus.
“It has a lot to do with the president … bringing it up,” Whitsett said earlier this month. “He is the only person who has the power to make it a priority.”
Now, the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party Organization is seeking to censure the lawmaker, saying her comments are dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Greg Bowens, a member of the executive board for the 14th Congressional District, said Trump will use her words to hurt others.
“She is in her own way
trying to champion the inequities in our system,” Bowens said. “But everybody knows Trump’s a user. If you give him any praise, he’s going to use it in his campaign to win the state.”As part of the censure resolution, Whitsett will be barred from receiving the group’s endorsement in the next election, and will also be prohibited from taking part in activities with the group for two years.
Former Georgia State Rep. Vernon Jones resigned last week after breaking with the party to endorse Trump’s re-election and offered some harsh words for his party on his way out the door.
“The way the Democrat Party has treated me this past week has made one thing clear: they are the bigots they claim to hate and I won’t be silent about it,” Jones said.