Protesters, supporters face off during vice president’s mid-Michigan visit

BAY CO., Mich. (WNEM) – Down the road from Vantage Plastics in Bay County, supporters and opponents of the Trump administration squared off as the vice president rolled into town.

They gathered near UAW Local 362.

Related: ‘Build, baby, build’: Vance speaks on future of manufacturing during mid-Michigan visit

Those in protest said they’re calling out President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is slashing federal spending across multiple agencies.

“We rely on veteran’s benefits, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and all of those things are on a chopping block with an unelected person showing off his chainsaw and making a joke of it. To us, it’s personal. It’s not a joke. Cutting those benefits is going to hurt people and we would like him to take that message back to Washington,” said Karen Tighe, former chair of the Democratic Party of Bay County.

But on the other side of the road, supporters of the Trump administration applauded the cuts to the federal government, saying the policies coming out of Washington will help increase manufacturing in Michigan.

“The cuts to Social Security is of fraud, waste, and abuse. When you have administrators who are just paper pushers, it’s not hurting people who are receiving Social Security benefits. Michigan was a manufacturing icon. We led with Detroit autos, and we’re bringing it back. We’re going to bring it back to Michigan, and that’s what JD’s promising and that’s what Trump’s promising,” said Roberta House-Forshee, a supporter from Au Gres.

You can watch the vice president’s full speech at Vantage Plastics on Friday below:

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