Trump Threatens To Cut Off Michigan’s Federal Funds Over Mail-In Voting

TOPLINE

President Trump tweeted early Wednesday morning that he might “hold up funding” to Michigan, claiming absentee ballots would be sent to the state’s 7.7 million voters—a decision Trump said was “illegal” and “without authorization.”

KEY FACTS

Surprising fact

In the 2016 election, Trump won Michigan by a 0.23% margin. It was the narrowest victory in the state’s presidential election history.

Key background

Michigan has been a political flashpoint amid the coronavirus pandemic. Multiple protests against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order that shut down businesses have been held across the state (including several outside the state’s Capitol building). Neighboring state Wisconsin controversially held an in-person election April 7, which one study linked to a spike in coronavirus cases. According to Reuters, Republicans are more opposed to mail-in voting, claiming it causes fraud and favors Democrats. Meanwhile, Democrats argue that mail-in voting allows for wider participation in elections.

Tangent

Trump is scheduled to visit a Michigan Ford automobile factory Thursday in violation of an executive order prohibiting such visits. The company has asked Trump to wear a mask on the premises. “Where it’s appropriate, I would do it, certainly,” Trump told reporters Tuesday.

Further reading

Secretary of State: All Michigan voters will get absentee ballot applications at home (Detroit Free Press)

Trump threatens Michigan funding over Benson’s decision to mail absentee apps (Detroit News)

Trump asked to wear mask during Thursday trip to Michigan Ford plant (MLive)

On Visit That Violates Governor’s Ban, Trump Will Tour Ford Plant That Requires Mask Wearing (Forbes)

Coronavirus Infections Spiked In Wisconsin After In-Person Election, Study Says (Forbes)

Trump Is Pushing a False Argument on Vote-by-Mail Fraud. Here Are the Facts. (New York Times)

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