Michigan GOP co-chair posts photo with Nigel Farage, suggests ‘MIexit’

The co-chairwoman of Michigan’s Republican Party suggested that her state “MIexit” the union last week in a Facebook post that included a picture of her with Nigel Farage, the British politician known for his championing of the Brexit movement.

In the post, published on Meshawn Maddock’s personal Facebook page, she is seen smiling alongside Farage, while the caption says her state should consider secession.

“Maybe it’s time for a #MIexit American’s tried it once before! Time to end our Governor’s tyrannical rule. #NigelFarage,” she wrote.

The Hill has reached out to Maddock for comment.

It wasn’t exactly clear how secession was connected to Maddock’s ire aimed at Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan’s Democratic governor, as Whitmer was elected in a statewide election. The purple state governor has seen a revolt from Republicans in her state over the past year due to her COVID-19 restrictions, most of which were tossed out after Michigan’s Supreme Court ruled against her extensions of a state of emergency.

Whitmer herself was the target of a kidnap and assassination plot foiled by the FBI last year, which the agency detailed in early October. The plot was orchestrated by a group of militia members apparently dissatisfied with the state’s COVID-19 restrictions.

“Michigan Republicans will call for anything and be seen with anyone — with no regard to the fringe rhetoric it emboldens and violence it encourages — as long as the end goal is undermining Governor Whitmer,” said Lavora Barnes, chairwoman of the Michigan Democratic Party.

“At this point, the question isn’t whether the MIGOP embraces extremism, it’s how many amongst their ranks are in line with these unhinged sentiments. Michiganders deserve to know if there are any Republicans brave enough to call Maddock’s latest antics out or if MIGOP has completely given itself over to hyperpartisanship at all costs,” Barnes continued.