Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer apologized Sunday after a photo emerged of her flouting her own social distancing guidelines while at a bar with friends.
The governor was among a large group having drinks at The Landshark Bar & Grill in East Lansing, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The photo, which shows Whitmer seated with about a dozen people at no fewer than three tables that had been pushed together, was posted on social media by one of the attendees, but later deleted.
Michigan restaurants and bars are still subject to capacity limits and social distancing requirements.
Current orders require six people or fewer at tables and distances of six feet between tables. (Detroit Free Press)
“Throughout the pandemic, I’ve been committed to following public health protocols," Whitmer said in a statement.
"Yesterday, I went with friends to a local restaurant. As more people arrived, the tables were pushed together. Because we were all vaccinated, we didn't stop to think about it. In retrospect, I should have thought about it. I am human. I made a mistake, and I apologize."
STORY: @GovWhitmer apologizes after photo surfaces showing her violating social distancing order at East Lansing bar https://t.co/DAwIlMT8U6
— Chad Livengood (@ChadLivengood) May 23, 2021
Tori Sachs, executive director of the Michigan Freedom Fund, blasted the governor on Twitter over her hypocrisy.
"Capacity limits, patrons per table limits, curfews & other ridiculous restrictions need to end immediately," Sachs said. "She isn’t even abiding by those rules.
"A year after the boat episode & Whitmer and those around her still don’t think their Covid rules apply to them."
I'm sure all of our small business owners fined by the state for violations of her executive & health orders or had their licenses taken away will gladly accept her apology.
— Aric Nesbitt (@aricnesbitt) May 23, 2021
This is not the first time Whitmer has been caught breaking her own rules.
Makes one wonder how many times @GovWhitmer has defied her own orders without it being posted on social media. https://t.co/b5pRvu374z
— Tori Sachs (@Tori_Sachs) May 24, 2021
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer breaks her own coronavirus rules for a photo op but still refuses to let families feed their kids. https://t.co/RGOyUoUH0N
— Matt Wolking (@MattWolking) June 6, 2020
When Gretchen Whitmer told Michiganders to stay away from Northern Michigan during Memorial Day, her own husband not only disobeyed her orders, he tried to name drop her to get their boat launched ahead of others.
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) June 20, 2020
The hypocrisy is unbelievable! https://t.co/JGW0aKvbwN
Update:
Whitmer has rescinded the 6-people-per-table rules that she violated over the weekend. 1 is rescinded immediately (in MIOSHA order.) The other, similar rule in the DHHS order is gone effective June 1.
— David Eggert (@DavidEggert00) May 24, 2021