Prosecutor’s Robert E. Lee post ‘disturbing,’ Macomb Co. says; Lucido apologizes

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido, already facing a whistleblower lawsuit from a former assistant prosecutor, came under fire again Friday and apologized, this time for a message posted Thursday on his social media accounts marking Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s birthday.

County Information Officer Tom Lehrer said Friday the county, especially Executive Mark Hackel, has been receiving messages of concern and outrage about the post.

In a Friday statement, Hackel called the posts “disturbing,” saying the county has gotten numerous requests for comment on the matter.

“The County has no control over the Prosecutor’s social media accounts, however, we condemn the incredibly insensitive nature of his most recent post,” said Hackel, a Democrat.

Lucido apologized for “any stress the post created” in a Friday afternoon statement, adding that his communications director published the posts without running them by him, considering the quote historically significant.

“Unfortunately, the greater context of Robert E. Lee, his support of the Confederate States, relationship to our shameful slave history and the hurtful nature of commemorating him to many in our community, was not considered,” said Lucido, a Republican. “I do not support or condone Robert E. Lee’s role in the American Civil War or what the Confederate Army was trying to achieve.”

A new review process for social media posts will be implemented, Lucido said in the statement.

The post featured the prosecutor’s official title in large print, sandwiched by the state and county seals beneath an image of the Robert E. Lee Monument in Richmond, Virginia, which has since been dismantled after a lengthy court battle following the 2020 killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.