Detroit City Wire

House Rep. Cynthia Johnson (D-Detroit) has been stripped of her committee assignments after appearing to threaten supporters of President Donald Trump.

House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) and Speaker-elect Jason Wentworth (R-Clare) released a statement involving Johnson, saying she was being relieved of her assignments in committees. 

The statement called Johnson’s comments unacceptable. 

“Threats to either Democrats or Republicans are unacceptable and un-American,” the statement read. “They’re even more unbecoming of an elected official. Rep. Johnson has been removed from her committee assignments, and we are looking into further disciplinary action as the proper authorities conduct their own investigations.”

The statement noted that intimidation does not belong in politics.

“We have been consistent in our position on this — violence and intimidation is never appropriate in politics,” the statement read. “We have said that about threats against Gov. (Gretchen) Whitmer, Secretary (Jocelyn) Benson, Rep. Johnson herself, and others. That applies to threats made toward public officials, and it must also apply when the threats come from public officials. Behavior like this will not be tolerated this term or next.”

Johnson said in a Facebook post she was issuing a warning to Trump supporters.

“So this is just a warning to you Trumpers,” she said in the Facebook Live video. “Be careful. Walk lightly. We ain’t playing with you. Enough of the shenanigans. Enough is enough." She also says, "And for those of you who are soldiers, you know how to do it. Do it right. Be in order. Make them pay." 

House Democrats did not agree with Chatfield and Wentworth’s decision. They issued their own statement, saying that it would just further divide Democrats and Republicans.

"The overheated language of the statement issued by Speaker Chatfield and Speaker-elect Wentworth, illustrates that the Republicans prioritize partisan politics and political theater over healing the wounds of division, preserving the well-being of the Legislature as an institution, protecting the safety of members, and acting on the needs of the people of Michigan,” the statement read.