Although the president said “wait” … Armed groups tried to kidnap the governor

Thirteen members of an armed group that planned to kidnap the Michigan governor and attack the state legislature building were arrested by the FBI. On April 30, when the Corona 19 blockade was extended, a commemorative photo was taken in front of the governor’s office after occupying the state government building.[로이터=연합뉴스]

With the US presidential elections on the 25th, a far-right armed group was arrested for kidnapping the acting governor of the Democratic Party.
On the 8th (local time), AFP and others reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested 13 men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer the day before.

Six of them hatched a kidnapping plan, and seven of them planned to attack police buildings and the state legislature, Michigan prosecutors said. He added that an armed group called ‘Wolverine Watchdog’ also intervened in the process.
Governor Whitmer has implemented a strong containment policy since the early days of Corona 19. Mandatory masks were also implemented early, and opposition from far-right groups was particularly intense. In the capital, Lansing, an opposition rally was held in which thousands of protesters gathered and groups armed with firearms also participated.
According to the FBI, they planned to kidnap Governor Whitmer starting last summer. In August and September, the governor’s village was secretly monitored and the kidnapping is said to have been attempted just before the elections. Subsequently, there were statements that he had planned to transfer Governor Whitmer to Wisconsin and try to be tried for treason.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitman criticized the 8th (local time), saying: “President Trump’s comments have finally turned into an order to act on these groups.” [AP=연합뉴스]

When Governor Whitmer learned of his kidnapping plans, President Trump’s remarks during the first televised debate last month were challenged again.
At the time, President Trump avoided an immediate response to the host’s question, “Condemn the white supremacist.” Instead, after asking what group they were talking about, he said, “Proud Boys, back off, wait” when one of the far-right armed groups, “Proud Boys,” was mentioned. At this point, the “hold” statements became controversial.
According to political media The Hill, Governor Whitmer said: “These hate groups (who tried to kidnap themselves) would have heard the president’s story not as a reprimand, but as an order to act with cheers.”
He confessed: “I thought it would be difficult when I took the oath of office 22 months ago, but I couldn’t imagine this happening.” Governor Whitmer criticized that “the president, who has instilled mistrust by denying science for the past seven months, only consoles those who spread fear and hatred.”
Washington = Correspondent Pilkyu Kim [email protected]