Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent state leaders, warned in a speech on Wednesday that President Trump’s trade war could have calamitous effects but was careful not to blame him directly as she embraced a bipartisan message.
“Tariffs need to be used like a scalpel, not a hammer,” Ms. Whitmer said in Washington, at an event space near the White House. “Unfortunately, it’s unclear how this is going to strategically benefit the American economy or the American consumer. And I think that’s the big problem.”
During her address and while responding to questions from Gretchen Carlson, the former Fox News anchor, Ms. Whitmer sought to thread a political needle, avoiding direct criticism of Mr. Trump or his administration — a notable contrast with the blunter attacks on the president made by other Democrats seen as potential presidential contenders in 2028.
She included encouraging anecdotes about a meeting she had in Michigan with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as well as Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the state, even as she cautioned that the administration’s tariff policies could cause an economic collapse. Ms. Whitmer described Mr. Trump’s approach as unstable, unpredictable and damaging to corporations that rely on economic stability and steady governance.
But by day’s end, she was standing in the Oval Office while Mr. Trump — who hours earlier had announced a 90-day pause on most of his reciprocal tariffs — signed executive orders, mused again falsely about a rigged 2020 election, and praised Ms. Whitmer as “a very good person.”
“We’re honored to have Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan, the great state of Michigan — she’s really done an excellent job,” Mr. Trump said as Ms. Whitmer stood across the room.
His kind words for her stunned numerous Democrats, who lit up their group chats with puzzled reactions to one of the party’s leading figures suddenly being singled out for presidential praise. Ms. Whitmer’s team pointed to the substance of what Mr. Trump had said — his commitment to funding for an Air National Guard base near Detroit.
The two politicians have a history. In 2020, he dismissed her as “that woman from Michigan” during a dispute about his initial response to the coronavirus pandemic. She has since embraced the sobriquet, using it on political merchandise and during speeches.
Mr. Trump also carried Michigan last year, and he has won a wary ally in his tariff effort in Shawn Fain, the president of the powerful United Auto Workers union and a key political figure in Michigan.
More than a dozen times during her 31-minute speech on Wednesday, Ms. Whitmer described herself or her policy proposals as bipartisan, or called for elected officials from opposing parties to work together.
“There’s a lot more common ground here than we think,” she said. “While partisanship has infected every aspect of our lives, driven by opportunistic politicians, cynical media figures and addictive algorithms, our people are not as divided as our politics.”
She emphasized areas in which she agreed with Mr. Trump and said she had come to Washington with the Republican speaker of the Michigan House to meet with White House officials.
Ms. Whitmer’s measured tone stood out as other top Democrats — including governors who, unlike her, face re-election next year — sound alarms not just about Mr. Trump’s tariffs but also about the president himself.
When Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania gave a speech last week in Bethlehem, Pa., he was more direct in blaming Mr. Trump for economic pain.
“I’m not sure why the president of the United States wants to do this to our small businesses, wants to harm our main streets,” Mr. Shapiro said. “This tariff war that he is starting, this button that he is pushing, is going to have one effect, and that effect is to drive up costs on consumers and businesses throughout Pennsylvania.”
Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois has labeled the tariffs “Trump’s tax on working families.”
And Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, during an appearance on MSNBC, said Mr. Trump was responsible for damaging the American economy.
“I think the biggest myth perpetuated on this country is that Donald Trump understands anything about business,” Mr. Walz said. “He’s bankrupted every single one he’s been into and now he’s bankrupting this country.”
Democrats have shown new energy. The party and its liberal allies won a pivotal, $100 million contest last week for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, conducted mass street protests against the Trump administration last weekend and have shown strength in special elections.
At the same time, the party has shown a growing consensus that its best path forward is not to make a Bill Clinton-esque argument of harvesting the best ideas from both parties, but to fiercely oppose a billionaire class newly empowered by Mr. Trump.
Ms. Whitmer seems to have a different approach. She warned that elected officials would get nowhere if they tried to harvest fury without a longer-term plan.
“We want leaders who are not just focusing on keeping us angry with one another,” she said, “but where do we get to where we want to be.”
