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BAY CITY, Mich. – The fallout from a failed domestic terror plot to overthrow Michigan’s state government and kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have been rapidly embedded in state politics and the presidential race in a key state during the final weeks of the campaign.
Ms. Whitmer, a Democrat who was targeted by an armed group whose alleged members have been arrested, said Sunday that she remained concerned about the presence of right-wing groups in her state, as well as President Trump’s reluctance to condemn them.
“I think there are still serious threats that groups like this group, these domestic terrorists, will find comfort and support in the rhetoric coming out of the Republican leadership in the White House to our state house,” he said in an appearance on the CBS Program. ” Face the Nation “.
Lee Chatfield, a Northern Michigan Republican and speaker of the state House of Representatives, sent a letter to Ms. Whitmer on Saturday, berating her for failing to inform the Legislature about the plot, which included talking about storming the state Capitol.
“The plot of these terrorists was also against us,” he wrote. “You knew it, and they didn’t even give us a warning. We had people working in the building every day doing essential jobs, and their lives are important too. “
Chatfield also criticized the way he had spoken about the president and the Republican leadership.
“It is time to tone down the partisan rhetoric and lower the pressure as you have said. Will he do the same for President Trump? “he asked.” You have arguably been their biggest critic in the country this year. They even raised funds this week from this plot, now making it political, which is sad. “
But Trump has also been especially critical of Ms. Whitmer throughout the year, mockingly calling her “That Michigan Woman” and “Half-Whitmer,” and urging his followers to “Free Michigan!” after protesters armed with military-style rifles criticized his policies to handle the pandemic. After the terrorist plot was revealed, he tweeted that Ms. Whitmer “has done a terrible job.” And he complained that instead of thanking her for the federal action to thwart the plot, “she calls me a white supremacist.”
The FBI and state authorities arrested 13 men, including two former Marines, whom they accused of being involved in the plot, and charged them with a variety of crimes, including conspiracy to commit kidnapping and providing material support for terrorist activities. .
Through confidential informants and undercover agents, federal authorities detailed how some of the men had guarded Ms. Whitmer’s vacation home in northern Michigan and planned to detonate a bomb to divert law enforcement from that home. The plot also targeted other elected officials and members of law enforcement.
Ms. Whitmer has received harsh criticism from conservative and anti-government groups for the strict lockdown measures she imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Most of the restrictions have been lifted and the Michigan Supreme Court ruled last month that its use of the executive orders was unconstitutional. At least two of the men arrested had attended armed protests on Capitol Hill in April and May.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a telephone interview Sunday afternoon that Ms. Whitmer had no obligation to tell others about the terror plot.
“This was a highly strategic operation with many moving parts, and that would depend on the police to inform the people who needed to know. He received the information confidentially and if he had done what he suggested, he could have endangered the lives of federal and state law enforcement officers, ”he said of Mr. Chatfield’s letter. “One person talking to the wrong person could have cost numerous law enforcement officers their lives.”
Legislative Republicans have denounced the terror plot, but some in the party have been highly critical of Ms. Whitmer for how she handled the coronavirus pandemic in Michigan.
Republican state House candidate Paul Smith, a Republican running for legislative seat in Macomb County, wrote on Facebook that the terror plot was a “totally bogus sham. These citizens never did anything illegal. The forces of order are used to punish people who COMMIT crimes, not people that the Government simply HATES. “
Chatfield and State Representative Jason Wentworth, who heads the House Republican campaign committee, overruled Smith on Saturday.
“Paul Smith’s conspiracy theories and hateful comments do not represent our values. That is why the House Republican Campaign Committee does not support him and will not spend a penny for him to be elected, ”they said in a statement.
But Mr. Smith isn’t the only Republican to downplay the plot. Sheriff Dar Leaf, of Barry County in western Michigan, said in a television interview Thursday that the plan could have simply been a “citizen’s arrest.” Leaf, who has openly criticized Whitmer’s shutdown orders and said he will not enforce the rules she imposed, shared the stage with one of the suspects at an anti-shutdown meeting in May that also featured the state. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, Republican.
“A lot of people are angry with the governor and they want her arrested. So are they trying to arrest or was it an attempted kidnapping? “he asked. He later said that his words were misunderstood.
Ms. Nessel said Sheriff Leaf’s comments were terrifying.
“To think that there is a group of sheriffs who really believe that it is appropriate for armed men to carry out a citizen arrest should alarm us all,” he said. “It seems that logic has really escaped us. When January rolls around, I hope we see a change in circumstances. “
It’s unclear how much the incident will affect voters at a time when the majority have already made a decision, but some agents said it could pose yet another hurdle for Trump and Michigan Republicans.
Ed Sarpolus, an independent political consultant and pollster, said the kidnapping plot could help solidify the turnout of some Democratic voters who are concerned about white supremacy, but neither candidate was particularly swayed during the presidential debate.
“I’d say in some quarters it’s exciting to go out and vote because it’s like, ‘There she goes again,'” Sarpolus said of Trump.
John Truscott, Republican political consultant and press secretary to former Gov. John Engler, said the kidnapping plot had shocked both Republican and Democratic politicians and had been widely condemned.
“It is not even a political question, it is the right thing to do as leaders,” he said. “And almost every Republican leader I’ve seen has spoken out against it.”
Still, he said, “I think it is easier for Democrats to play with the virulence that exists. Although in most places it is on both sides, it seems to be labeled a little further to the right. “
Kathleen Gray reported from Bay City, Michigan, and Lucy Tompkins from New York.
