Hours after police foiled an alleged plot to kidnap her, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer argued in a speech Thursday that President Donald Trump’s words had been a “rallying cry” for extremists.
Whitmer, a Democrat, said the Republican president has spent the past seven months of the coronavirus pandemic “denying the science, ignoring his own health experts, stoking mistrust, fostering anger and comforting those who spread fear, hatred and division. “
She highlighted Trump’s comments in the debate, when he did not condemn white supremacist groups and told a far-right group to “stand back and stay out of it.”
“The hate groups heard the president’s words not as a reprimand, but as a battle cry,” Whitmer said. “When our leaders speak, their words matter. They carry weight. When our leaders meet, encourage or fraternize with national terrorists, they legitimize their actions and are complicit. When they fuel and contribute to hate speech, they are complicit. “
There is no indication in the criminal complaint that the men arrested were inspired by Trump. Authorities have also not publicly said whether the men were angered by Whitmer’s coronavirus orders, which slashed businesses and people in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
Democrat Joe Biden also sought to link Trump to the plot, pointing to the president’s tweet earlier this year to “FREE MICHIGAN!” Whitmer’s response to the coronavirus has faced criticism from conservatives, and the Republican-led Michigan Legislature sued her in May to try to override her stay-at-home order and other measures.
Whitmer’s arrests and comments come less than a month before the presidential election in a key state on the battlefield, where recent polls show Biden has an advantage.
Six men were charged in federal court with conspiring to kidnap the governor in reaction to what they viewed as her “uncontrolled power,” according to a federal complaint. Separately, seven others were charged in state court under Michigan antiterrorism laws for allegedly attacking police and pursuing a “civil war.”
Trump criticized Whitmer’s comments, saying she has done a “terrible job” and should open up the state. His stay-at-home order was lifted months ago, but mask requirements and collection restrictions remain.
The president tweeted that “my” Department of Justice and the federal police had foiled a dangerous plot against him.
“Instead of thanking, she calls me a white supremacist,” he tweeted before accusing Biden and the Democrats of failing to condemn the “looters and mobs who set fire to” Democrat-controlled cities.
“I do not tolerate ANY extreme violence,” Trump said. “Defending ALL Americans, even those who oppose and attack me, is what I will always do as your President!”
Whitmer also called for kindness and empathy during the pandemic and issued a warning to those who threaten violence.
“Hatred, intolerance and violence have no place in the great state of Michigan,” he said. “If you break the law or conspire to commit heinous acts of violence against someone, we will find you, hold you accountable and bring you to justice.”
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This story has been corrected to reflect that Trump said “back off and wait”, not “stand up and stay”.
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Associated Press writer David Eggert in Lansing, Michigan contributed to this report.
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