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Gretchen Whitmer: “I won Michigan twice, handily.”

Featuring: Gretchen Whitmer, Democratic | Governor of Michigan

Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR

Published January 20, 2026 | Video Starts at 10:40

So I have some questions about the direction of the Democratic Party. What does your party need to change in order to win Michigan next time? You know what? I won Michigan twice, handily. I am proud and grateful for this opportunity, but I think it's because I stayed focused on the fundamentals, you know, the dinner table issues, helping people find an affordable … (10:40–10:42)

CLAIM

Asserts that Gretchen Whitmer won two gubernatorial elections in Michigan with significant margins.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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Gretchen Whitmer

“We've had nine months of contraction when it comes to manufacturing in this country.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 04:00-04:06
“The Chinese government is underwriting all of those vehicles.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 08:21-08:26
“Women were signing up two to one to men [for college or skill sets].”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 15:21-15:25
“Tariffs have increased costs on the average American consumer.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 00:16-00:20
“Tariffs have increased costs on the average American consumer. They've cost Americans jobs, they've made America less competitive.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 00:16-06:22
“They've cost Americans jobs.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 00:20-00:23
“Nine months of contraction in manufacturing is a big problem.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 06:43-06:48
“We had policies that supported the transition [to EVs] and now we don't.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 07:09-07:15
“China is moving ahead on EVs and batteries. They have upended the whole European market.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 07:26-07:33
“We do not have a fair level playing ground and that's why our international policies matter.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 08:39-08:45
“We've got to do a lot of things to make the United States more competitive and to move faster.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 09:08-09:13
“Getting rid of these capricious tariffs.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 09:13-09:16
“We did [give retirees relief by not taxing their pensions] in my first term here.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 11:38-11:41
“Women were signing up two to one for men [for opportunities that bring down the cost of a first home payment].”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 15:24-15:32
“We saw Alyssa Slotkin get elected to the US Senate here in Michigan.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 20:25-20:30
“We know that there will be efforts to compromise the election or to dissuade people from showing up, to scare people away, to threaten…”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 23:26-23:37
“We are going to also, as we did in elections passed, work with other states that are anticipating a lot of the, you know, nefarious efforts.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 23:40-23:51
“I think it would be a mistake to assume that they're not going to [interfere with election results].”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 24:11-24:19
“Our approach in Michigan is to try to keep the temperature down, to keep open lines of communication.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 25:16-25:23
“I know that there are good people in the Republican Party that would [stand with the election results].”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 26:25-26:29
“I'm really glad that right now we got a Democratic governor that's going to be overseeing a lot of it going into this election.”
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump using homeland security in elections | NPR | Uploaded January 20, 2026 | 26:38-26:45