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The US FBI says it has foiled a plot to kidnap and overthrow the Democratic Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer.
Whitmire became a target for coronavirus skeptics after strict measures were imposed that a judge canceled last week.
Authorities said the kidnapping plot included six men who planned to carry out a “trial for treason.”
“There is no room for hatred, bigotry and violence” in Michigan, Whitmer said, describing the defendants as “corrupt.”
What were they planning?
According to an FBI affidavit, a secret law enforcement source attended a meeting in June in Dublin, Ohio, during which a group of militiamen in Michigan discussed the overthrow of state governments who “believe they are violating the Constitution of United States”.
The indictment states that “many members spoke of killing” tyrants “or” kidnapping “the state governor. In one of the videos, a suspect denounced the role of the state in determining the reopening date of the gyms during the closure. of the Corona virus.
Investigators arrested thirteen people in the case.
Six of the defendants, five of whom were from Michigan and one from Delaware, are said to have planned a “treason trial” against Whitmer.
Authorities revealed the six suspects, namely: Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Caleb Franks, Daniel Harris, Brandon Cassert and Tay Garpen, whose home authorities raided Wednesday.
The other seven face charges of terrorism and gang-related crimes in state court in connection with the kidnapping plot.
The group wanted to rally about “200 men” to storm the Capitol and take hostages, including the state governor. They hoped to activate their plan before the November presidential elections. They planned to attack the governor at her home if the first plan failed, authorities said.
The United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan said the defendants “ coordinated the surveillance of the state governor’s house, ” adding that they had also planned attacks with Molotov cocktails on police officers, bought a stun gun. paralyzing and raised money to buy explosives and necessary equipment.
What do we know about the group?
The FBI says the defendants conducted weapons training in various states, and in some cases attempted to make bombs, adding that their training was videotaped.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said that in addition to the kidnapping charges, the state will charge seven members of the “Wolverine Guards” militia with gang membership and providing material support to terrorists. Nessel said the arrested militia members hoped to start a civil war.
Michigan State Police Chief Colonel Joe Gasper said in a statement announcing the charges against the “Wolverine Guards”: “Michigan law enforcement officers are united and we act within our commitment to eradicate terrorism in any form. and we will take swift action against anyone seeking to cause violence or harm in Our mandate. “
Image posted, fake images
Anti-blockade protesters compared Whitmer to Hitler
What did the governor say?
In a press conference held Thursday, the state governor linked the kidnapping attempt to the speech of President Donald Trump, who said he had spent the last few months “raising suspicions, arousing anger and comforting those who sowed fear, hatred and division “.
The governor noted that Trump did not explicitly denounce white supremacists in the first presidential debate last week, describing his comments as a “rallying cry” for hate groups. Trump repeatedly denounced these organizations in the days after the presidential debate.
Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate against Trump, condemned the militias as a “real threat” and said Trump’s “release” tweet was encouraging the militias. “The president’s words are important,” he said, adding: “Why doesn’t the president say stop, stop, stop, stop?”
Numerous violent incidents have been linked to civilian militia groups across the United States in recent years. Supporters, often white men, sometimes wave weapons during protests. The Department of Homeland Security warned this week in an annual report that violent white supremacy was “the most persistent and deadly threat in the entire country.”
The closure orders issued by Whitmer drew thousands of protesters to the state Capitol, where many compared them to German dictator Adolf Hitler. In April, President Donald Trump voiced his support for the protesters, tweeting “Liberate Michigan.”
“None of us faced a challenge like COVID-19,” Whitmer said Thursday. He added: “We are not enemies of each other. This virus is our enemy and this enemy is implacable.”
Last Friday, the state Supreme Court ruled that Whitmire does not have the legal authority to issue emergency executive orders and that this responsibility rests with the state legislature.
Following the ruling, the lawyer who defended the case before the Supreme Court advised citizens to “burn the masks”, which according to health officials are necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
