At the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference—held on the windswept and historic shores of Michigan’s Mackinac Island—Governor Gretchen Whitmer stood tall, delivering a speech that was part roadmap, part rally cry. Her message? Progress only works if we build it together—and no, she’s not here for political violence being swept under the rug.
Whitmer, a two-term governor and fierce advocate for Michigan families, used her keynote to focus on unity, resilience, and what it takes to move a state forward when the political landscape often feels fractured. She spotlighted real wins: 21 F-15EX jets secured for Selfridge Air National Guard Base (jobs + security), expanded Medicaid access, and a bold goal to have 60% of adults in the state earn a certificate or degree by 2030. Yes, she’s keeping receipts.
But she didn’t stop there.
“He Told Me He Wouldn’t.”
Whitmer also addressed something deeply personal and politically charged: the 2020 kidnapping plot against her—and the possibility that Donald Trump may pardon the men convicted of orchestrating it. She didn’t flinch.
“He told me he wouldn’t,” she said, referring to a past conversation with Trump where he allegedly promised not to issue pardons. “I hope he stands by that.”
Let’s rewind: Barry Croft Jr. and Adam Fox were convicted for attempting to violently abduct the governor over pandemic policies. The plot involved surveillance of her home, weapons training, and the intent to “hog-tie” her. These aren’t just ideological disagreements—they’re domestic terrorism.
Now, Trump’s recent statements suggesting he’s “looking into” pardons have reopened wounds, not just for Whitmer but for every woman who’s been told to stay quiet in the face of violence.
Leading with Purpose, Not Fear
Whitmer made it clear—pardoning these men would send a dangerous message. “We cannot allow political violence to become normalized,” she said. And she’s right.
While some leaders use fear as fuel, Whitmer is channeling it into power: a future-forward vision focused on literacy, infrastructure, economic growth, and making Michigan a hub for semiconductors and innovation.
Why This Matters
Political violence impacts women leaders disproportionately. Whitmer’s story is not just about Michigan—it’s a window into what women in power face across the country. Standing up against injustice, staying vocal, and refusing to normalize abuse is part of the leadership playbook women are rewriting in real time.
