The controversial former chief of police in Detroit is accusing the state's Democratic governor of misconduct after a disastrous campaign kickoff.
"Republican gubernatorial candidate James Craig believes Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, in some way intervened to prevent state law enforcement from responding to protesters who derailed his campaign announcement Tuesday morning on Belle Isle," the Detroit Free Press reports. "The former police chief of Detroit leveled the accusation of substantial misconduct against the governor late Tuesday on Tucker Carlson's Fox News program."
The newspaper reported Craig "suggested a conspiracy involving Whitmer, the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources."
This was not the first time Craig had blamed others for his campaign's kickoff.
"Craig leveled similar allegations against the DNR earlier in the day in an interview with the Detroit News. But text messages obtained by the Free Press between a DNR staff member and Ted Goodman, a Craig campaign spokesman, show a different story than what Craig told Carlson," the newspaper noted.
Videos posted to social media show Craig leaving his kickoff without giving a speech after his event, at a state park, was swarmed by protesters angry over the Republican's history of policing.
James Craig makes an inaudible message as he is drowned out by Detroit Will Breath protesters at Belle Isle prior to Craig announcing his run for Michigan Gov. @freeppic.twitter.com/12ufofzqR8— Mandi Wright (@Mandi Wright) 1631629649
Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig is trying to kick off his campaign on Belle Isle, but the event is currently being righteously occupied by @DETWILLBREATHE, holding him accountable for not making the city any safer while trying to hijack their work into a political career.pic.twitter.com/9wwO4Ruz51— Joe F Spaulding \ud83e\udd89 (@Joe F Spaulding \ud83e\udd89) 1631629618
James Craig was surrounded by protestors on Belle Isle this morning when he made a quick announcement. "I'm running for governor of the State of Michigan."pic.twitter.com/8EeyawwAzx— WXYZ Detroit (@WXYZ Detroit) 1631631835
More from Detroit Will Breath protest at Belle Isle before James Craig was going to announce running for Michigan Gov. @freeppic.twitter.com/rFoMSKnEee— Mandi Wright (@Mandi Wright) 1631629020
The second stage for @chiefjamescraig's campaign kickoff (rooftop view on the Detroit skyline) is not your typical impromptu backup location… pic.twitter.com/bpQBpzoJrL
— Chad Livengood (@ChadLivengood) September 14, 2021
