Politics Politics & Government News Gretchen Whitmer, Who Was Subject of Hate-Fueled Kidnapping Plot, Pleads for New Era of Respect in Politics "If you love your country, you love your countrymen and women," the Michigan governor said in a powerful statement about politics gone too far. "That's the deal" By Virginia Chamlee Virginia Chamlee Virginia Chamlee is a Politics Writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE for three years. Her work has previously appeared in The Washington Post, Buzzfeed, Eater, and other outlets. People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 15, 2024 01:52PM EDT Gretchen Whitmer . Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says that the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally is part of an "alarming, years-long trend" in American politics. In a statement issued on Sunday — just one day after a gunman struck the former president, killed a bystander and critically injured two others in attendance — Whitmer said the incident was one of a long line of violent, politically motivated events in recent years. "There have been incidents we all know: a shooting at a practice for the Congressional baseball game, the plot to kidnap and kill me, the storming of the Capitol, and an in-home assault on the former Speaker of the House’s husband," Whitmer wrote. Gretchen Whitmer Says She Thinks About Her Safety 'Everywhere I Go' in Wake of Attempted Kidnapping “Behind all these incidents is rhetoric," Whitmer said. "We have seen calls to hate, harm, or jail political opponents. Violent conspiracies from the seediest corners of the internet have become incorporated into stump speeches. We have lost the plot when it comes to the way we talk to each other and about each other." While the motive for the shooting at the Trump rally is not yet known, authorities have said they are investigating it as an act of terror. Gabby Giffords Reflects on Ten Years Since Shooting, Says Politics 'Have Become Even More Divided' Since Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is ushered off stage with blood on his face after a gunman opened fire at his campaign rally on July 13, 2024. REBECCA DROKE/AFP via Getty Elsewhere in her statement, Whitmer referenced the younger generation, noting that first-time voters in the upcoming presidential election were born in 2006: "Think of what they have seen. Imagine what they must think about our politics. Is it a hopeful, inspiring arena where you can argue passionately for what you believe in? No." "For much of their lives, politics has been dark, defined by worsening rhetoric and violence," she continued. "It is no surprise that they remain cynical or pessimistic about the future. We need their passion and energy to move us forward, but we risk extinguishing it with our words and actions." Acknowledging that debate is a cornerstone of American politics, Whitmer suggested that it not get in the way of personal relationships. "Our kids go to the same schools. We shop at the same stores. We live in the same towns and cities," she said. "If you love your country, you love your countrymen and women. That’s the deal. Donald Trump Jr. Mocks Paul Pelosi Hammer Attack as Homophobic Conspiracy Theories Sweep Right-Wing Media Whitmer then drew on the words of President Abraham Lincoln, quoting, “We are not enemies, but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.” "He was right," she added, "We can argue but we must center our common humanity." Whitmer ended the statement by saying that the nation should "choose to move forward, together," encouraging people to "call a relative you haven’t spoken to in a while and let them know you love them. Put the phone down and talk to your neighbors. Because this starts and ends with us — all of us." Donald Trump Speaks Out After Surviving Assassination Attempt: ‘I’m Not Supposed to Be Here’ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat who was elected in 2018. JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Whitmer is no stranger to politically motivated violence. Her statement comes four years after the FBI became aware of a scheme to overthrow the Michigan state government, which involved plans to kidnap the governor at her vacation home and detonate explosives to disrupt the police response. Members of the alleged conspiracy conducted coordinated surveillance on Whitmer's vacation home and attempted to obtain the addresses of local law enforcement officers, according to the complaint. Authorities also claimed that several suspects participated in firearms training and attempted to construct an improvised explosive device. More than a dozen people were arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in the plot. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Whitmer is one of a number of politicians who have called for unity in the wake of the shooting at the Trump rally, including Trump himself, who wrote in a post shared to Truth Social, “In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win." President Joe Biden also called on the nation to unite in a primetime address following the shooting, saying, “We can’t allow this violence to be normalized. I believe politics ought to be an arena for peaceful debate.”