Michigan Lawmakers, Civil Rights Groups Demand State Police Director Resign For Offensive Post

LANSING, MI—Civil rights leaders and Michigan legislators are among those asking that Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue step down as the director of the Michigan State Police after she posted a meme on her personal Facebook page that condemned NFL players for kneeling during the national anthem and called them “millionaire ingrates.”

Even though Etue has apologized, the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus and civil rights groups on Wednesday called for her resignation or firing. The caucus, which is comprised of 22 Democratic legislators, can no longer be trusted to fulfill her duties in an objective and unbiased manner. Liberal activists, the American Civil Liberties Union and at least one Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, also called for her ouster.

Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder will not ask her to step down, spokeswoman Anna Heaton said.

"The colonel said she made a mistake and publicly apologized," she said. "She has served with distinction as an outstanding public servant for decades."

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The NFL players’ protests during the national anthem peaked on Sunday, after President Trump criticized their action and said that they should be “fired” for disrespecting the flag. Players, though, have said their protests are a reaction to incidents of police brutality on African-Americans in several cities across the nation.

Critics of Etue point out that her police force is among those being investigated currently for an incident that occurred earlier this month when a trooper tasered a 15-year-old boy during a pursuit. The boy died after crashing.

Earlier this week, Etue has apologized for sharing the Facebook post.

“It was a mistake to share this message on Facebook and I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended,” she wrote. “I will continue my focus on unity at the Michigan State Police and in communities across Michigan.”

Some information for this story came from the Association

Image via Shutterstock