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In announcing the arrest of a group of people accused of plotting to kidnap the governor of Michigan, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel described the conspiracy to kidnap Whitmer, 49, as a “serious and credible threat.”
Andrew Birge, US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, said six of the detainees face federal crimes for conspiring to kidnap the governor from his summer home. According to this official, these men, who are now in custody, guarded Whitmer’s home and even tested an improvised explosive device, which they intended to use to mislead the police.
They were taken into custody by Michigan and FBI police officers Wednesday when they met to “raise funds for explosives and exchange tactical equipment,” the Justice Department said.
Gretchen Whitmer, who was among the favorites to join the Democratic presidential team with Joe Biden, Donald Trump’s opponent in the November 3 election, thanked the police for stopping the kidnapping plot and berated the US president for failing to convict him. hate groups.
Whitmer was repeatedly attacked by Trump this year for imposing a harsh lockdown to contain the coronavirus, and right-wing armed groups have organized protests in the state capital, Lansig, against the governor’s orders to keep people home. “FREE MICHIGAN!” Even Trump wrote in a cheep published in April.
Whitmer said he never imagined something like a kidnapping could happen. “We are not enemies to each other. This virus is our enemy,” he said.
The governor recalled Trump’s refusal, during the debate with Biden last week, to condemn white supremacists and “hate groups” such as the two Michigan militias suspected of plotting his kidnapping.
“Back off and wait, I told (Trump),” Whitmer recalled.
“When our leaders meet, encourage or fraternize with national terrorists, they legitimize their actions, they are complicit,” he said.
Biden, who leads the polls, also condemned Trump.
“The words you say are important,” the candidate said during a campaign rally, questioning the president for not saying “stop” and not promising to go after white supremacists.
The FBI found out through social media.
The Michigan attorney general said that in addition to the six men arrested for plotting to kidnap the governor, seven members of a militia group called the Wolverine Watchmen face state charges.
They are suspected of trying to identify the homes of law enforcement officials to reverse against them and “instigate a civil war,” Nessel said.
They also planned to attack the congressional building in Lansing and kidnap government officials as well as Whitmer, he added.
All seven were charged with various crimes related to terrorist acts and gang membership.
The FBI reported that it learned through social media in early 2020, “that a group of people was discussing the violent firing of certain government and police figures.”
A confidential informant attended a meeting in June with about 14 people, the FBI added, in which the group “spoke of creating a society that followed the United States Bill of Rights and where they could be self-reliant.
“They discussed different ways to achieve this goal, from peaceful managements to violent actions,” according to court documents showing that “various members spoke of murdering ‘tyrants.’
The six men accused of conspiring to kidnap Whitmer were identified as Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta.
