This column has been updated to include new information.

Those from Michigan know that I rarely agree with Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is known for her progressive views.

However, I unexpectedly found myself supporting her stance in a recent issue involving criminal charges against student demonstrators and a disgraceful claim made by Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib.

This month, Nessel declared that her office would file charges against 11 individuals, mainly students and alumni, associated with protests at the University of Michigan earlier this year.

The protests were about the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has caused significant unrest on campuses nationally, particularly at the University of Michigan. The majority of those charged by Nessel were pro-Palestinian protesters.

Nessel stated in a press release, “A college campus should encourage the sharing and exploration of ideas, but being passionate about your beliefs doesn’t exempt you from breaking the law. University grounds should not lack order; illegal actions are still illegal on campus.”

Her viewpoint is justified, and I was pleased to witness her commitment to the rule of law, contrasting with some other prosecutors across the nation who haven’t held disobedient students accountable.

Tlaib’s Continued Antisemitism

Tlaib did not take kindly to Nessel’s choice to pursue these charges.

As a Palestinian American, Tlaib appears to believe that those who break the law while protesting against Israel should be exempt. This perspective is unsurprising, considering Tlaib has a history of making antisemitic remarks. Her extreme comments following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel even led to her censure by her peers in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In a discussion with the Detroit Metro Times following the charges, Tlaib asserted: “We have historically been granted the right to dissent and to protest for several causes, including climate action, immigrant rights, civil rights, and issues related to water access.”

By failing to distinguish between lawful protest and other forms of First Amendment activities and outright illegal conduct, Tlaib demonstrates a concerning ignorance.

Furthermore, she went on to suggest that Nessel, who is Jewish, must be biased against Palestinian supporters due to her decision to press charges.

Tlaib claimed, “It appears that the attorney general decided to treat the matter of Palestine differently, which highlights potential biases within her office.”

In truth, it is Tlaib who demonstrates bias, not Nessel.

Governor Whitmer’s Lack of Direct Support

Nessel responded to Tlaib on X by stating, “Rashida should not suggest my religious beliefs affect my ability to perform my duties as Attorney General. That’s antisemitic and incorrect.”

On the following Sunday, when questioned by Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union” about the matter, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, stated, “I’m not going to get involved in the dispute they’re having.”

Whitmer did not support Nessel’s choice to charge individuals. Additionally, she refrained from condemning Tlaib’s prejudiced commentary regarding the attorney general. Later, Whitmer attempted to clarify her defense of Nessel but did not specifically mention Tlaib in her remarks.

The governor’s response is disappointing and led to criticism from Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. However, it aligns with her approach towards other incidents of objectionable behavior. For instance, in April, it took her over a week to denounce chants of “death to America” during a protest in Dearborn, Michigan.

As a supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and previously of President Joe Biden’s campaign, Whitmer is evidently making a strategic choice to avoid alienating Michigan’s large Muslim community, Many individuals have been dissatisfied with President Biden’s ongoing backing of Israel.

However, the situation might not be so straightforward. For instance, the mayor of Hamtramck, a city with a majority Muslim population, announced his endorsement of former President Donald Trump over the weekend, referring to him as a “man of principles.”

No matter the timing in an election year, it should not be challenging for politicians like Whitmer to confront bias – even if it is present in their own political party.

Ingrid Jacques is a columnist for YSL News. You can reach her  on X, previously known as Twitter, at @Ingrid_Jacques.