by Jon King, Michigan Advance

In a little-noticed move, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a directive for the heads of state departments and agencies to review executive orders issued by President Donald Trump that would, among other things, halt diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies at the federal level, eliminate the so-called “electric vehicle (EV) mandate, and declare that the male and female genders are an “immutable biological classification.”

“All state departments and agencies must adhere to the law. Accordingly, I am issuing this Executive Directive to ensure that each state department and agency is continuously reviewing Federal Actions, all federal guidance related to those Federal Actions, and consulting with the Department of Attorney General as to the legality and application of the Federal Actions to ensure compliance with the law and any applicable court decisions,” stated Whitmer.

The directive orders a consultation by the department heads with the Department of Attorney General to ensure compliance with the Trump directives, “as consistent with federal and state laws and any applicable court decisions,” prioritizing legal advice on the impact those orders have on the use or receipt of federal funds.

Michigan received nearly $34 billion in federal funds as part of the current $83 billion 2025 fiscal year budget. Most of those federal funds, approximately $27 billion, were utilized in spending for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which includes Michigan’s participation in Medicaid.

One potential issue is a 2021 DHHS bulletin which delineates the circumstances by which Medicaid would cover treatment and procedures for persons diagnosed with gender dysphoria, saying they “are not considered to be elective or cosmetic when determined to be medically necessary.”

Gender dysphoria is defined as the “psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one’s sex assigned at birth and one’s gender identity.” However, because Trump’s new executive order on gender sets aside scientific and medical evidence on the topic, coverage of such treatment could be jeopardized.

A request for comment was sent by the Michigan Advance to Whitmer’s office asking for clarification on that issue and whether the state would comply with a termination of such coverage, but it was not returned by the time of publication.

Another potential target would be DEI officers and programs in state departments and agencies that receive at least a portion of their funding from the federal government. They also could face reductions or elimination if determined to be in violation of the new federal orders.

As for EVs, Trump has called for “considering the elimination of unfair subsidies and other ill-conceived government-imposed market distortions that favor EVs over other technologies,” which could impact funding for electric vehicle infrastructure including charging stations and hydrogen fueling facilities.

State Sen. Jim Runstad (R-White Lake), who’s running to chair the Michigan Republican Party, issued a statement last week sent a letter to Whitmer demanding that she“immediately halt all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies related to hiring, training, and spending practices.”

“On Nov. 5, the people of Michigan voted to end this type of nonsense and return effectiveness and efficiency to government,” wrote Runestad. “In replace of DEI, the state of Michigan should instead adopt Merit, Excellence, and Intelligence (MEI) initiatives. These practices would serve to strengthen the Michigan bureaucracy so that it can better effectuate the needs of the people.”

Three other people are running to head the Michigan GOP: former Michigan GOP Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock, Republican consultant Scott Greenlee and Joe Cella, former ambassador to Fiji during the first Trump administration. The party will hold an election in February in Detroit.