President Donald Trump signaled support for anti-lockdown protesters in multiple states in a series of tweets Friday, saying that such states should be “liberated.”
“LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” Trump tweeted, shortly followed by, “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!”
LIBERATE MINNESOTA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
LIBERATE MICHIGAN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
“LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!” read another tweet from the president.
LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
Protests occurred in all three states this week, as well as in other states like North Carolina. (RELATED: Will They ‘Sign Away Their Right To Treatment?’: Joy Behar Questions Michigan Lockdown Protesters)
In Virginia, protesters gathered outside the state capitol, holding signs like “Reopen VA” and “We Will Not Comply.”

Police urge protesters to spread out during a rally against stay-at-home orders related to the coronavirus pandemic at Capitol Square in Richmond, Virginia on April 16, 2020. RYAN M. KELLY/AFP via Getty Images

People take part in a protest for “Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine” at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on April 15, 2020. JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump announced Thursday his three-step guidelines for reopening America.