Michigan Gov. Whitmer apologized after a photo revealed she had violated her own social distancing order at a bar

• A photograph showed Michigan Gov. Whitmer violating COVID-19 social distancing orders at a bar with friends.
• Whitmer apologized for the misstep and said that she did not consider the protocols after being vaccinated.
• Whitmer has faced extreme pushback for her COVID-19 restrictions, including a failed plot to kidnap her.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has apologized after she was photographed inside a restaurant with 12 other people over the weekend in violation of the state's current COVID-19 social distancing order.

Whitmer issued an apology after a photo from the meal was published by Breitbart on Sunday.

"Throughout the pandemic, I've been committed to following public health protocols," Whitmer told The Detroit News. "Yesterday, I went with friends to a local restaurant. As more people arrived, the tables were pushed together. Because we were all vaccinated, we didn't stop to think about it. In retrospect, I should have thought about it. I am human. I made a mistake, and I apologize."

Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services currently says groups no larger than six people can be seated together at restaurants to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Whitmer has set social distancing protocols and restrictions since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, often leading to pushback from her constituents.

In late April 2020, armed rioters stormed the Michigan Capitol in protest of the restrictions, and in October 2020 the FBI charged six men who plotted to kidnap the governor.

The governor recently announced on May 21 that all outdoor events will be opened to full capacity starting June 1 and nearly all indoor events will be fully open on July 1.