Whitmer Dodges Japan Trip During Budget Talks Question

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/25/2025) (GRAND RAPIDS) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wouldn't confirm her trip to Japan in September to reporters at an event Monday, but said regardless of where she is, she is always available to negotiate.

In an interview with reporters, Whitmer answered two questions about the still-undecided Fiscal Year 2026 budget and said she is the governor of the state all day, every day.

"I'm never hard to get a hold of. I have been ready to negotiate a budget since I introduced the budget seven months ago, and while you know we still have time to get it done and have a negotiated budget, time is running out," she said.

She said she would continue to try to make sure it gets done on time.

"I will not be the holdup. I can tell you that," Whitmer said.

State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) was also at the event and Whitmer pointed to her and said she and the Senate had already passed their budget.

"We are serious about getting this done for the people of Michigan. It behooves no one for us to miss that deadline. It will be bad for everyone, and most importantly, it'll be bad for the people of Michigan," Whitmer said.

Trump's National Guard Executive Order

Whitmer also answered a question about an executive order signed by President Donald Trump making it easier to send the National Guard into cities and states to stop civil disturbances.

She said she had no need to send the Michigan National Guard outside the state.

"I am the commander in chief, and it's important to me that we continue to have them if and when we need them for the purposes of keeping people safe in Michigan," she said.