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Fuck Trump and His Cabinet, but that being said…
By: Joy Marie Mann
It is likely that most people reading this agrees that Trump is a fascist, dangerous warmonger, yet I find myself with a specific internal conflict.
For context (stay with me—it will come full circle), those of you who have read my recent book are informed about the wrongful conviction of Temujin Kensu. For those unfamiliar, Temujin is currently serving his 39th year (and counting) in prison for a crime (which is factually proven) he did not commit.
To say this man has been through hell, and continues to have it thrust upon him, is a vast understatement.
I mention this because Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has had Temujin’s clemency papers on her desk for 6 years yet has left them dusty and unsigned.
Our thousands of emails, phone calls and letters remain unacknowledged. Whitmer has never made a public statement about Temujin Kensu, or his case— no declaration of his “guilt” or innocence, for that matter. She is too unwilling to take a stand for anything not self-serving.
So, how does this relate to Trump? This week, , a Federal Grand Jury indicted James Comey for a social media post which read “86 47.” Implying it was a call to “take out” President Trump.
Many of us have utterly loathed Comey since 2016 (if you know, you know), yet we see this indictment as absurd and opportunist.
The reason all of this connects is because Gretchen Whitmer had a sign behind her on a Zoom call, also stating “86 47” and is now under a potential indictment as well.
While I am completely against this bullshit “shiny object,” I’m not all that mad about it happening to her.
For over 6 years, many of us have watched Temujin suffer in every way possible and fought tooth and nail for Whitmer to sign that clemency paper. She is *the only one* with that power.
Whitmer is cold, unfeeling, weak, money-hungry corrupt and unjust.
I am sure it’s easy for those removed from Temujin and his pain to disagree with this; however, I cannot help but find the thought of Whitmer fearing going to court herself, quite delicious. The possibility that she will get the tiniest taste of what a “wrongful conviction” feels like.
Those of us close with Temujin have done nothing short of beg her to have some compassion, and now, I will show her none in return.
To be clear, I do not *want* her to be indicted for something so absurd, but if she does, you will not find me in the streets protesting with a sign.
She has had complete impunity as Temujin is denied chemo for his brain tumor, as the prison staff trashes his cell and smashes his typewriters, as they write him fraudulent tickets so he will have “privileges” taken away, as he is denied his medically necessary knee braces, as he is thrown in solitary confinement after being set up by prison staff.
39 years. Just short of 4 decades, this man, now soon to turn 63 years of age, is still on a concrete box. I have visited in prison and witnessed this trauma first-hand.
Despite being notified of these inhumane grievances repeatedly, and despite his proven wrongful imprisonment, Whitmer remains the heartless monster she has always been.
So, while she is not being held to account for her humanitarian crimes against Temujin, the fear she is feeling is karmic.
My feelings are nuanced and in a way, may seem contradictory; however, when you witness someone powerless whom you care about, being harmed over and over by someone powerful enough to change everything,, yes, there is at least a smirk and some satisfaction knowing at the very least, something will be keeping the heartless up at night.
If not a conscience, let it be fear.
***To learn more about Temujin’s case and Whitmer’s role, you can find my book, “Our Friend, Temujin: The Wrongful Conviction of Temujin Kensu at amazon.com
And
Below: Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer hides her face in shame in the Oval Office, April 15, 2025. Photo credit: The Detroit News
