LANSING, Mich. (AP) — An elected official in Michigan has found herself embroiled in a web of intrigue after undergoing a courageous medical procedure.
State Representative Laurie Pohutsky revealed to a gathering of demonstrators protesting President Trump’s initial measures this week that she opted for elective surgery to have her reproductive organs removed. Pohutsky’s disclosure resonated with the liberal-leaning protesters, while drawing condemnation from conservative social media platforms.
At 36 years old, the Democratic lawmaker shared that her decision for the surgery had been brewing for some time, ultimately solidified by the outcome of Trump’s election. Her intent was to empathize with the concerns of other women regarding contraceptive access by sharing her experience.
In the aftermath of her public statement, Pohutsky disclosed to The Associated Press that she had been subjected to threats, prompting her to report at least one incident to Michigan authorities. The Associated Press reached out to the Michigan State Police for a statement on the matter.
“I am somewhat perplexed by the intensity of animosity that has been directed towards me,” Pohutsky remarked.
Addressing a substantial gathering at the state Capitol in Lansing on Wednesday, Pohutsky disclosed that she had recently undergone a bilateral salpingectomy to remove her fallopian tubes. Despite Michigan’s constitutional protection of abortion rights and legislative efforts to ensure access to contraception, she underscored her apprehension that the Trump administration might initiate measures to restrict such access.
“Nearly all of these executive directives seem to align with the objectives outlined in Project 2025, which includes provisions for curtailing contraceptive availability,” she emphasized.
Following Trump’s election, healthcare providers noted a surge in women seeking long-term birth control methods and permanent sterilization procedures. Trump had indicated a willingness to consider regulations on contraception in an interview with a Pittsburgh television station in May, later retracting his statement by affirming that he had never supported nor would support any limitation on birth control or other contraceptive methods.
Pohutsky revealed that the decision to undergo surgery had been the subject of discussions between her and her spouse for quite some time, and she eventually scheduled the procedure post the November election. Contemplating rescheduling due to a legislative session conflict, she ultimately opted to proceed with the surgery upon witnessing Trump’s executive actions.
Her decision faced criticism from several prominent conservative figures on social media, including the right-wing influencer account Libs of TikTok and conservative commentator Ben Shapiro. Shapiro’s response to a post about Pohutsky read, “So many broken people,” while Libs of TikTok later removed their post about her.
