Inslee Calls Trump's 'Liberate' Tweets 'Unhinged Rantings'

OLYMPIA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee took to social media Friday afternoon to condemn tweets by President Donald Trump that signaled support for protests against stay-at-home orders in three states.

The President posted a trio of all-caps tweets Friday, including "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!" "LIBERATE MINNESOTA!" and "LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!"

The New York Times reports protests related to the stay-at-home orders have taken place in the three states this week. According to the Associated Press, a similar event was held in front of the Idaho state capitol Friday afternoon.

Inslee posted a seven-part Twitter thread Friday afternoon, criticizing the president's posts as "unhinged rantings" that placed "millions of people in danger of contracting COVID-19." The governor noted the president's apparent support of the protests was directly at odds with statements made just a day prior.

"The president is fomenting domestic rebellion and spreading lies — even while his own administration says the virus is real, it is deadly and we have a long way to go before restrictions can be lifted," Inslee wrote. "Yesterday, the president told the nation science would guide his plan for easing restrictions. The White House released a sensible plan to resume economic activity. 24 hrs later he is off the rails, ignoring his own plan and spewing dangerous, anti-democratic rhetoric."

Inslee said he continued to appreciate a good working relationship with Vice President Mike Pence, who is at the helm of the federal government's coronavirus response, and other leaders in the administration. The governor said their collective work was undermined by the president's remarks, and he encouraged other leaders to speak out against the comments.

Read the governor's full statement here.