Ms. Whitmer, the Michigan governor and one of the country’s most prominent Democrats, has been conciliatory with Mr. Trump. As she mulls the future, her party is split on that approach.

© Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times

The Michigan governor made the remarks to a reporter on Thursday morning. Later, she sounded less definitive. Ms. Whitmer has been viewed as part of a field of possible Democratic candidates.

© Nick Hagen for The New York Times

The chief, Brian O’Hara, began leading the department in 2022 as it reeled in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd.

© David Guttenfelder/The New York Times