Michigan Republican legislative leaders arrived in Washington D.C. Friday morning for a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.
Sen. Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and Sen. Tom Barrett arrived at Reagan National Airport to protesters. There were also protesters at Detroit Metro Airport. House Speaker Lee Chatfield will also be at the meeting.
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Chatfield took to Twitter on Friday to acknowledge the meeting, saying that he looks forward to the conversation.
The meeting comes amid a longshot GOP push to overturn the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the battleground state.
Two people familiar with the matter tell The Associated Press that Trump invited Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield.
Related:Trump campaign withdrawing lawsuit over election results in Michigan
They agreed to go, according to a state official aware of the leaders’ plans. The two officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. It was not immediately clear what the meeting is about. Neither Shirkey nor Chatfield commented.
The Michigan Democratic Party released the following statement in response:
"If you want to know what your legislators' priorities are, it is important to not just hear what they say, watch what they do. It is telling that Michigan GOP legislative leaders Mike Shirkey and Lee Chatfield are jetting off to Washington DC this week to meet with President Trump. They are more focused on continuing the GOP smoke and mirrors show designed to hide Trump's humiliating defeat than taking care of the actual problems impacting Michiganders. It is both shameful and dangerous that they would travel during a global health pandemic that has killed over 8,000 Michiganders while refusing to work with our Governor in offering relief to our front-line workers, our small business owners, and everyone impacted by this deadly virus. Both Shirkey and Chatfield are once again sending a message to everyone in this state that they care more about Trump than the people they were elected to serve."
The Democratic Party also held a press conference on Friday morning. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell said Shirkey and Chatfield are being used to help the President undermind the will of the voters.
