Former Michigan Governors Urge Political Civility After Minnesota Unrest

Bipartisan panel calls for respect and unity across the political spectrum

Feb. 4, 2026 at 6:31pm

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Michigan's four living former governors, from both the Democratic and Republican parties, gathered to denounce the recent violence and chaos they've seen following the deployment of federal agents into Minnesota's twin cities. They warned that a similar federal presence in Michigan communities could lead to unrest, and called for greater political civility and respect across the aisle.

Why it matters

The event highlights growing concerns about the divisive political climate in the U.S., with technology and social media contributing to a loss of shared facts and common ground. The former governors' bipartisan plea for civility comes as President Trump calls for 'nationalizing' state-run elections, which Michigan's current governor has vowed to resist.

The details

The panel included former Governors Rick Snyder (R), Jennifer Granholm (D), Jim Blanchard (D), and Richard Engler (R). They warned that a large federal law enforcement presence, similar to what was seen in Minnesota, could lead to unrest in Michigan communities. Granholm also cited the 'algorithmic slicing' and 'siloing' of people on social media as a major factor behind the loss of political respect and shared realities.

  • The event took place on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

The players

Rick Snyder

Former Republican governor of Michigan.

Jennifer Granholm

Former Democratic governor of Michigan who also served in the Biden administration.

Jim Blanchard

Former Democratic governor of Michigan.

Richard Engler

Former Republican governor of Michigan.

Gretchen Whitmer

Current Democratic governor of Michigan who denounced President Trump's call to 'nationalize' state-run elections.

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What they’re saying

“Think of Grand Rapids, think of other places in Michigan, and ask yourself the same question — if you would have had that many people showing up from the federal government, what would happen in any community, particularly in the Midwest?”

— Rick Snyder, Former Republican Governor of Michigan

“I think that this algorithmic slicing, the siloing of people on social media, is a big culprit, and people aren't swimming in the same pond at all. Their realities, their facts, are completely different because their sources are completely different. Content creators who are extreme are rewarded because extremism is more interesting and gets a greater number of clicks, and therefore their followers and their income grows.”

— Jennifer Granholm, Former Democratic Governor of Michigan

What’s next

The former governors' call for political civility comes as President Trump continues to push for federal control over state-run elections, which Michigan's current governor has vowed to resist.

The takeaway

This bipartisan event highlights the growing concerns about the divisive political climate in the U.S., with technology and social media contributing to a loss of shared facts and common ground. The former governors' plea for civility and respect across the aisle serves as a reminder of the importance of bridging political divides and finding common ground, even in the face of increasing polarization.