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Michigan protests
Demonstrators take part in an "American Patriot Rally" organized on April 30, 2020 at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing.Getty Images
Michigan protests
Demonstrators take part in an "American Patriot Rally" organized on April 30, 2020 at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing.Getty Images
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Michigan protests
Demonstrators take part in an "American Patriot Rally" organized on April 30, 2020 at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing.Getty Images
Michigan protests
Protestors try to enter the Michigan House of Representative chamber but are kept out by the Michigan State Police on April 30.Getty Images
Michigan protests
Protestors try to enter the Michigan House of Representative chamber but are kept out by the Michigan State Police on April 30.Getty Images
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Demonstrators, waving a Confederate States flag (2nd L), take part in an "American Patriot Rally" in Michigan on April 30.
Demonstrators, waving a Confederate States flag (2nd L), take part in an "American Patriot Rally" in Michigan on April 30.Getty Images
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President Trump says the protesters who stormed Michigan’s Capitol on Thursday — some of them armed with rifles — are “very good people” who are angry with the state’s restrictive COVID-19 lockdown.

In a tweet on Friday morning, the president weighed in on tensions roiling the state and called on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to negotiate with demonstrators who are demanding parts of the economy be reopened amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Governor of Michigan should give a little, and put out the fire. These are very good people, but they are angry. They want their lives back again, safely! See them, talk to them, make a deal,” he wrote.

Facing a wave of criticism from political opponents, the Democratic governor extended a state of emergency in Michigan which will keep most businesses closed until May 28 as it continues to battle one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the country.

A thousand protesters demonstrated outside the State House in Lansing on Thursday before several hundred forced their way inside and demanded to be let on the floor as lawmakers inside debated the legislation.

Several men armed with rifles made their way into the public gallery, terrifying officials beneath them.

Whitmer last week eased some restrictions, allowing Michiganders to resume playing golf and return to some essential industries, but that hasn’t stopped state Republicans for pushing ahead with attempts to limit her powers.

The GOP-controlled legislature plans to sue Whitmer, limiting her executive order powers after she on Thursday extended the state of emergency when legislators voted it down, the Detroit Free Press reports.

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