University of Michigan regent faces calls to resign for not 'specifically denouncing' Trump

Students at the University of Michigan have launched a petition calling for the recall or resignation of Regent Ron Weiser for not "specifically denouncing President Donald Trump for inciting violence" at the Capitol on Jan. 6, Michigan Daily reports.

Weiser, aside from being Regent of the university, is also the incoming co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party.

"The evidence is clear: Ron Weiser is complicit in Wednesday’s historic and horrifying events," the petition, which has over 4,600 signatures, reads.

The petition claims that Weiser chose "to stand by the consciously destructive actions of President Trump," citing Weiser's response to a question about whether Trump bares any responsibility for the riot.

"I don't know. I didn't read any of that stuff, and I didn't watch television," Weiser said. "I watched Michigan destroy Minnesota in basketball, and that kind of contest is something that I strongly support."

Weiser later said that he "strongly condemn[s] those people who turned into a mob... after what was supposed to be a peaceful protest. Those who broke the law should be held accountable."

Petitioners claim that "This response is merely a continuation of Regent Weiser – incoming co-chair of the Michigan GOP and former RNC fundraising coordinator for President Trump – refusing to condemn Trump’s undisputed endorsement of white supremacist violence."

The petition was signed by the five most recent student government presidents, as well as by multiple student organization, community organizations, and community leaders.

The petition is unlikely to amount to anything, however, as 25 percent of the Michigan electorate must sign a petition in order to force a recall. In Michigan, this would amount to one million signatures. As well, change.org petitions are not accepted as legitimate under Michigan law.

The petition comes as hundreds of faculty members have signed an open letter calling upon Weiser to resign from his position. "You have to choose between supporting the University of Michigan and supporting the darkest factions of US political life. You cannot do both," the open letter demands.

"As a University of Michigan Regent, you serve as the public face of a great university that champions the pursuit of truth and a genuinely just society. By contrast, as chair of MI-GOP, you will be required to promote policies and strategies that MI-GOP uses to pursue electoral victories," the open letter alleges.

"This includes placating violent extremists within your party as well as those who support or tolerate them... [and] empowering factions and candidates that seek to impede or even overturn basic democratic principles, that seek to exclude Black, Indigenous, and other non-white residents from political participation, and that pursue their political goals without regard to truth, honesty, or integrity."

Weiser says he will not be resigning from his position.

"I spent most of that ugly day in a dental chair having oral surgery," Weiser claimed. "I am guilty of not watching news on TV or watching or using social media. Nothing more... Because of this transgression, my children and grandchildren have been harassed. There should be more civility in our community."