Gretchen Whitmer and the Progressive Disdain Toward Catholics, by Evan Myers

By Evan Myers, First Things, Oct. 25, 2024

Evan Myers is a writer and editor who lives in Hyattsville, Maryland, with his wife and daughter.

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer recently angered Catholics with a video sketch promoting the CHIPS Act. In the video, she feeds a Dorito chip to an influencer, who receives it on the tongue; bishops accused her of “mocking” the Eucharist, though her defenders argued that the sketch was inspired by a TikTok trend. Whitmer apologized for how the video “had been construed,” but the damage had already been done. “People of this state and across the country have grown tired of and continue to express their alarm at the bar of civility and respect toward people of faith lowering by the day,” said the CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference.

Whether or not Whitmer intended to mock Catholics, the backlash reflects a certain truth: Too often, Catholics are the subject of progressive disdain and hostility, especially when it comes to abortion and religious freedom. Just three days ago, Vice President Kamala Harris said that, if elected, she would reject religious exemptions for abortion, which would force healthcare providers to violate their conscience: “I don’t think we should be making concessions when we’re talking about a fundamental freedom to make decisions about your own body.” …

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