Michigan Governor’s abduction plan thwarted by FBI, 13 charged for plotting

Domestic terrorism plot – this is what was busted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday when thirteen people were charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan’s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The alleged scheme was around plan to overthrow various state governments which the suspects “believe are violating the US Constitution.” According to the federal criminal complaint the plot included Michigan government and Gov. Whitmer.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that six people have been federally charged with conspiracy to kidnap and seven other have charged for association with “Wolverine Watchmen”, the militia group.

AG Nessel said during a press conference, “The individuals in state custody are suspected to have attempted to identify the home addresses of law enforcement officers in order to target them, made threats of violence intended to instigate a civil war, and engaged in planning and training for an operation to attack the capitol building of Michigan and to kidnap government officials, including the governor of Michigan.”

The federal government has charged the six accused – Michigan residents Adam Fox (37), Ty Garbin (24), Kaleb Franks (26), Daniel Harris (23), Brandon Caserta (32), and Delaware resident Barry Croft (44). The seven other people who are charged by the state are Paul Bellar (21), Shawn Fix (38), Eric Molitor (36), Michael Null (38), William Null (38), Pete Musico (42), Joseph Morrison (42). They have been charged with various firearm and terror charges.  

The November Presidential Elections are expected to have a direct and substantial impact of the latest arrests and can add to the broiling political tensions that are capturing every corner of the country. This will also shine the spotlight brighter on ongoing warnings from the Congress, and law enforcements that real threat to America are extremists and far-right groups. Gov. Whitmer has been the center of rebuke and hatred from extremist groups specially on her handling of the pandemic in Michigan state.

Gov. Whitmer thanked the federal and state law enforcements of their swift action in a televised statement. She said, “This is unlike anything we have seen before. The brave men and women of these two police organizations put their lives on the line to keep me and my family safe. I’m incredibly grateful and humbled by the work they do.” She further blamed President Donald Trump for failing to condemn the extremists and far-right groups.

“Just last week, the President of the United States stood before the American people and refused to condemn white supremacists and hate groups like these two Michigan militia groups. ‘Stand back and stand by,’ he told them. ‘Stand back and stand by.’ Hate groups heard the President’s words not as a rebuke, but as a rallying cry, as a call to action. When our leaders speak, their words matter. They carry weight.”

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany has in response to Whitmer’s statement, accused her of ‘sowing division’. She said, “President Trump has continually condemned white supremacists and all forms of hate. Governor Whitmer is sowing division by making these outlandish allegations. America stands united against hate and in support of our federal law enforcement who stopped this plot.”