Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is waging an increasingly high-profile battle against an elderly barber, and he appears to be winning in both the courts of law and public opinion.
Karl Manke, a 77-year-old from Owosso, reopened his shop after he was turned down for unemployment.
Amid the legal threats from Whitmer’s administration, he recently responded, “What, are they going to give me? Life? I’ve got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. I could care less.”
“As long as I have two hands and I’m capable of cutting hair, that’s my occupation,” Manke said. “That’s what I do. That’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
Fort Hood soldiers shift to underground training to prepare for battlefield medical care
Local Dem leader says he was not ‘an aggressor’ after arrest for hitting man with bullhorn at ‘No Kings’ rally
NYPD cop’s killer convicted of manslaughter, not guilty of murder after split jury ordered to deliberate more
Sham Philadelphia coffee shop hiding crack operation busted in sweeping raid, 17 arrested: AG
Behind the scenes of Congress’ eleventh-hour rush to fund the DHS
Trump says Iran ‘no longer a threat’ after 32 days — outlines next phase of US war
FBI investigated former Capitol Police officer in Jan. 6 pipe bomb case, filings say
Illegal Alien Charged with Murdering 3-Month-Old Infant
Listen: Ketanji Brown Jackson Sparks Derision During Supreme Court Oral Arguments with Bizarre Tangent About Stealing Wallets
This Video Is Repulsive: White Wokester Says He’s Scared to Go Into Store Because Too Many White People Are Inside – His Last 7 Words Are Priceless
Poll Finds Majority of Americans View Democrats as an ‘Open Borders’ Party
Trump administration makes major move to relieve ‘unfair burden’ on DHS workers as shutdown drags on
BREAKING: Artemis II Launch Is Massive Success as America Returns to the Moon for First Time in Over 50 Years
WATCH: Robert De Niro brushes off ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ label hurled by critics
Bruce Springsteen Says Opposing Trump Is More Important to Him Than Fans: ‘I Don’t Worry’ About Losing Them
Manke addressed supporters outside his shop on Monday.
“I’d gone six weeks without a paycheck with no money coming in. I’ve been in this business 59 years…I’m 77. I’ve always worked,” he said.
“I’ve never looked for handouts. I don’t even know what they are. I had somebody call me and say why don’t you get on food stamps. I don’t want to get on food stamps. I want to work.”
“I came into this last Monday alone, thinking I’m going to swing in the wind alone,” he said. “I cannot believe the support that I’ve got,” he added to cheers, with some responding, “You are not alone!”
“It’s overwhelming,” he added, getting choked up.
Another day, Manke made it clear he was going to defy Whitmer’s orders.
Fort Hood soldiers shift to underground training to prepare for battlefield medical care
Local Dem leader says he was not ‘an aggressor’ after arrest for hitting man with bullhorn at ‘No Kings’ rally
NYPD cop’s killer convicted of manslaughter, not guilty of murder after split jury ordered to deliberate more
Sham Philadelphia coffee shop hiding crack operation busted in sweeping raid, 17 arrested: AG
Behind the scenes of Congress’ eleventh-hour rush to fund the DHS
Trump says Iran ‘no longer a threat’ after 32 days — outlines next phase of US war
FBI investigated former Capitol Police officer in Jan. 6 pipe bomb case, filings say
Illegal Alien Charged with Murdering 3-Month-Old Infant
Listen: Ketanji Brown Jackson Sparks Derision During Supreme Court Oral Arguments with Bizarre Tangent About Stealing Wallets
This Video Is Repulsive: White Wokester Says He’s Scared to Go Into Store Because Too Many White People Are Inside – His Last 7 Words Are Priceless
Poll Finds Majority of Americans View Democrats as an ‘Open Borders’ Party
Trump administration makes major move to relieve ‘unfair burden’ on DHS workers as shutdown drags on
BREAKING: Artemis II Launch Is Massive Success as America Returns to the Moon for First Time in Over 50 Years
WATCH: Robert De Niro brushes off ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ label hurled by critics
Bruce Springsteen Says Opposing Trump Is More Important to Him Than Fans: ‘I Don’t Worry’ About Losing Them
He told radio host Steve Gruber he will only leave his shop “if they drag me out in the street or Jesus comes.”
Manke’s levity is a striking contrast to Whitmer’s attempts to appear tough.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: "These executive orders are not a suggestion. They're not optional. They're not helpful hints." pic.twitter.com/ImffRfwPyb
— The Hill (@thehill) May 11, 2020
When asked specifically about Manke defying her edicts, Whitmer responded, “I expect people to follow the law. These executive orders are not a suggestion. They’re not optional. They’re not helpful hints.”
Despite failing to obtain a restraining order against the barber on Monday, Whitmer’s administration is continuing to pursue him in court.
The AG said:
The Attorney General’s court action, filed on behalf of MDHHS, seeks to enforce the MDHHS Director’s Public Health Order that deemed Mr. Manke’s business an imminent danger to public health in light of the COVID 19 pandemic and directs him to immediately cease operations at his barbershop. The State is seeking to schedule a hearing as soon as possible.
Fort Hood soldiers shift to underground training to prepare for battlefield medical care
Local Dem leader says he was not ‘an aggressor’ after arrest for hitting man with bullhorn at ‘No Kings’ rally
NYPD cop’s killer convicted of manslaughter, not guilty of murder after split jury ordered to deliberate more
Sham Philadelphia coffee shop hiding crack operation busted in sweeping raid, 17 arrested: AG
Behind the scenes of Congress’ eleventh-hour rush to fund the DHS
Trump says Iran ‘no longer a threat’ after 32 days — outlines next phase of US war
FBI investigated former Capitol Police officer in Jan. 6 pipe bomb case, filings say
Illegal Alien Charged with Murdering 3-Month-Old Infant
Listen: Ketanji Brown Jackson Sparks Derision During Supreme Court Oral Arguments with Bizarre Tangent About Stealing Wallets
This Video Is Repulsive: White Wokester Says He’s Scared to Go Into Store Because Too Many White People Are Inside – His Last 7 Words Are Priceless
Poll Finds Majority of Americans View Democrats as an ‘Open Borders’ Party
Trump administration makes major move to relieve ‘unfair burden’ on DHS workers as shutdown drags on
BREAKING: Artemis II Launch Is Massive Success as America Returns to the Moon for First Time in Over 50 Years
WATCH: Robert De Niro brushes off ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ label hurled by critics
Bruce Springsteen Says Opposing Trump Is More Important to Him Than Fans: ‘I Don’t Worry’ About Losing Them
The AG asserted Manke’s open business presents “clear public health dangers.”
After the close of business on Tuesday, Whitmer’s administration stripped Manke of his operating license, his attorney said.
“Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has suspended Karl’s license,” attorney David Kallman told radio host Steve Gruber.
“Not thinking about it, they’ve actually done it without a hearing, without any due process,” he added, saying the action took place some time after 5:00 p.m.
“It’s an unbelievable abuse of power,” Kallman said, arguing there’s no legal basis for the action.
“This is pure retribution by the governor’s office and by the AG. This is so petty and vindictive, it’s beyond the pale,” he told Gruber.
According Kallman, the AG claimed one of the reasons for the license suspension was because Manke was violating the temporary restraining order–which was never granted.
Story cited here.
