Plot to kidnap Michigan governor thwarted; 13 arrested, officials say

[webfact]

Plot to kidnap Michigan governor thwarted; 13 arrested, officials say

By Nathan Layne and Gabriella Borter

 

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a news conference after thirteen people, including seven men associated with the Wolverine Watchmen militia group, were arrested for alleged plots to take Whitmer hostage and attack the state capitol building, in Lansing, Michigan, U.S., October 8, 2020. Michigan Governor's office/Handout via REUTERS

 

(Reuters) - Thirteen people, including seven men associated with the Wolverine Watchmen militia group, have been arrested for alleged plots to take the Michigan governor hostage and attack the state capitol building, prosecutors said on Thursday.

 

The group aimed to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat and frequent target of Republican President Donald Trump's ire, ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election, according to a criminal complaint filed in a Michigan federal court.

 

At one point, the alleged plotters discussed recruiting a force of 200 to storm the state capitol in Lansing and take hostages, but later abandoned the plan in favor of a scheme to kidnap Whitmer at her vacation home, the complaint said.

 

At a news conference Whitmer accused Trump of encouraging extremist groups like the "sick and depraved men" that targeted her, citing his refusal to condemn white supremacists at the recent U.S. presidential debate against Joe Biden as an example.

 

"When our leaders meet with, encourage and fraternize with domestic terrorists they legitimize their actions, and they are complicit," Whitmer said. "We are not one another's enemy."

 

Internal U.S. security memos in recent months have warned that violent domestic extremists could pose a threat to election-related targets, a concern exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, political tensions, civil unrest and foreign disinformation campaigns.

 

FBI Director Christopher Wray said during congressional hearings in September that his agency was conducting investigations into violent domestic extremists, including white supremacists and anti-fascist groups. Wray said the largest "chunk" of investigations were into white supremacist groups.

 

Andrew Birge, the U.S. attorney for the western district of Michigan, said the FBI became aware through social media that a group of people were discussing the "violent overthrow" of Michigan's government, prompting a months-long investigation that relied heavily on confidential sources.

 

The group of six facing federal charges -- Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta -- could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted on charges of attempting to kidnap Whitmer, Birge said told an earlier news conference to announce the charges.

 

At a news conference on Thursday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer accused President Donald Trump of encouraging extremist groups like the "sick and depraved men" that targeted her in a thwarted plot to kidnap her before the Nov. 3 election.

 

"Fox and Croft in particular... discussed detonating explosive devices to divert police from the area of the home and Fox even inspected the underside of a Michigan highway bridge for places to seat an explosive," Birge said, referring to planning to target Whitmer's home.

 

Birge said law enforcement arrested several of the alleged conspirators "when they were meeting on the east side of the state to pool funds for explosives and exchange tactical gear."

 

ACTION TIMED BEFORE ELECTION

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel disclosed additional charges against seven men affiliated with the Wolverine Watchmen militia group suspected of violating the state's anti-terrorism act by conspiring to kidnap the governor and propagate violence.

 

"The individuals in 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," Nessel said.

 

Nessel said a total of 19 state felony charges were filed against the seven individuals, including counts for gang membership and for providing support for terrorist acts, part of a sweeping execution of warrants in more than a dozen cities.

 

According to the FBI's criminal complaint, Fox had indicated on numerous occasions that he wanted to kidnap Whitmer before the national election on Nov. 3. On one phone call recorded in June, Fox said he would try Whitmer for "treason" after taking her hostage, the complaint said.

 

On one June video livestreamed to a private Facebook <FB.O> group, Fox called Whitmer a "tyrant bitch" as he complained about the judicial system and restrictions against gym openings due to the coronavirus.

 

"I don’t know, boys, we gotta do something. You guys link with me on our other location system, give me some ideas of what we can do," Fox said on the video, according to the complaint.

 

Facebook said in a statement that it "proactively reached out and cooperated" with the investigation.

 

Whitmer was targeted by Trump for her efforts to enforce coronavirus-related social distancing measures, and he tweeted in April, "LIBERATE MICHIGAN."

 

Matthew Schneider, U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Michigan, said the arrests should send a message that violence will not be tolerated.

 

"All of us in Michigan can disagree about politics but those disagreements should never, ever amount to violence," Schneider told the press conference.

 

(Reporting by Nathan Layne in Wilton, Connecticut, Gabriella Borter in New York, Ted Hesson and Mark Hosenball in Washington, Katie Paul in Palo Alto and Karen Pierog in Chicago; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-09

 

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[Puchaiyank]

"Violence will not be tolerated!"...made me laugh...????

[RJRS1301]

45 minutes ago, webfact said:

Wolverine Watchmen militia group

Perhaps this will concentrate the mind of the divisive WH occupant, and why has he not spoken LOUDLY to condemn the alleged actions of this group of people.  Not even a "stand down and stand by" proclamation 

 

[simple1]

1 hour ago, Puchaiyank said:

"Violence will not be tolerated!"...made me laugh...????

The arrested, among other charges, are accused of planning acts of terrorism, Have Dems articulated support / tolerance for domestic terrorism or indeed any acts of violence? Disagreements on policy how to address violence, but not tolerance or support for violence.

[PatOngo]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

"When our leaders meet with, encourage and fraternize with domestic terrorists they legitimize their actions, and they are complicit," Whitmer said. "We are not one another's enemy."

Oh! Really?

[Scott]

Troll posts removed. 

[J Town]

I saw an interview with the head of the FBI today. He puts much of the blame on 45's vitriolic rhetoric and, except for the fact that he is currently the president, he would have been brought in for questioning and possible arrest.

[mr mr]

o'er the land of the freeeeeeeee.....and the home.....of the .....braaaaaaaave

[Estrada]

*Deleted post removed*

 

Unfortunately the Trump supporters are bombarding the internet with fake stories that Brandon Caserta was Anti-Fa. In fact these were all Facists who support Trump and definitely not Anti-Fa who are Anti-Facist but have no militias. Initial statements as well as the indictment filed by the attorney general indicate that the Michigan conspiracy is just one element of a historically unprecedented plot inspired and very possibly directed by a sitting president to violently overthrow the Constitution and establish a dictatorship.

[riclag]

Caserta, ,sounds like  another anarchist spoiled brat!

"Gov. Whitmer kidnap-plotter posted anarchist videos calling cops ‘violent gang’ and ‘enemies’"

https://americanmilitarynews.com/2020/10/gov-whitmer-kidnap-plotter-posted-anarchist-videos-calling-cops-violent-gang-and-enemies/

[Scott]

Posts and replies containing misinformation have been removed.  Continued attempts to use misinformation or deflection will earn suspensions.  

 

 

[J Town]

14 minutes ago, Kelsall said:

Nonsense

‘You’re entitled to your own opinion, you’re not entitled to your own facts.’

 

Seems I heard that somewhere recently. A guy sporting a big black fly on his pumpkin for several minutes.

 

I saw it. Just because it goes against your concept of politics doesn't mean it isn't so.

[jollyhangmon]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Wolverine Watchmen

 

... ???, seriously? ... hahahaha, ha ... how old are these inbreds? 8?

Yes, that's the root cause, their fathers are most likely also their uncles ... bad form these days ...!

 

[Berkshire]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

FBI Director Christopher Wray said during congressional hearings in September that his agency was conducting investigations into violent domestic extremists, including white supremacists and anti-fascist groups. Wray said the largest "chunk" of investigations were into white supremacist groups.

This is an outrageous act of treason and these terrorists need to be treated as such.  The Trump Administration has known that these white supremacists are a menace but the President himself has done nothing.  America is a much more dangerous place with Trump in charge.  45 needs to go and right soon.

[jimmybcool]

Do we actually know if these people were "white supremists" or fans of Trump?  Seems like a lot of jumping to conclusions without verification. 

 

Won't some folks feel stupid if it does turn out to be anarchists and not white supremists.

[Srikcir]

12 minutes ago, jimmybcool said:

 anarchists and not white supremists.

There's no difference.

[John1012]

Did these people actually commit any crimes, or were they just talking about out committing a criminal offense? How many people have spoken about doing violence to the PRESIDENT? Have they been arrested?  How many of the BLM affiliated rioters/looters are currently incarcerated, they actually commited crimes.From the original article there seems to be no actual crime committed. It will be interesting to follow the prosecution of these alleged thought crimes.

[Berkshire]

19 minutes ago, jimmybcool said:

Do we actually know if these people were "white supremists" or fans of Trump?  Seems like a lot of jumping to conclusions without verification. 

 

Won't some folks feel stupid if it does turn out to be anarchists and not white supremists.

What difference does it make?  Or are you supportive of white supremacist groups but not anarchists?  That's just sick. 

 

This was clearly a right wing militia group.  They may not define themselves as white supremacist, but groups like this frequently crossbreed with racists groups, neo-Nazi's and the like.  Regardless, they're considered domestic terrorists.  And yes, right wing terrorists in America are Trump supporters.   

[Scott]

13 minutes ago, John1012 said:

Did these people actually commit any crimes, or were they just talking about out committing a criminal offense? How many people have spoken about doing violence to the PRESIDENT? Have they been arrested?  How many of the BLM affiliated rioters/looters are currently incarcerated, they actually commited crimes.From the original article there seems to be no actual crime committed. It will be interesting to follow the prosecution of these alleged thought crimes.

They've all been charged with "providing material support for terrorist acts" and "carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony," according to state prosecutors

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/six-men-charged-alleged-plot-kidnap-michigan-gov-gretchen-whitmer-n1242622

 

[riclag]

1 minute ago, John1012 said:

Did these people actually commit any crimes, or were they just talking about out committing a criminal offense? How many people have spoken about doing violence to the PRESIDENT? Have they been arrested?  How many of the BLM affiliated rioters/looters are currently incarcerated, they actually commited crimes.From the original article there seems to be no actual crime committed. It will be interesting to follow the prosecution of these alleged thought crimes.

 

 To your claim about crime : In fact,  according to the detriot free press article

many in the group were charged  with 

 providing material support for terrorist acts,

gang membership and possession of a firearms' during a felony act!

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/10/08/what-we-know-men-charged-michigan-kidnapping-plots/5924672002/

 

Every American  is against terrorism !

[Solinvictus]

1 hour ago, riclag said:

Caserta, ,sounds like  another anarchist spoiled brat!

"Gov. Whitmer kidnap-plotter posted anarchist videos calling cops ‘violent gang’ and ‘enemies’"

https://americanmilitarynews.com/2020/10/gov-whitmer-kidnap-plotter-posted-anarchist-videos-calling-cops-violent-gang-and-enemies/

Just curious if you consider someone who is 'progressive' or advocates for more economic equality as an 'anarchist'? How about those who are against, yes, fascism? Certainly not 'bootlickers.' ????

 

If I can remember, right, I think it was this same user who downplayed covid months back here..

 

Regardless, police have a history of violence along with oppression. It needs to change. But see most people who don't see it that way are often also unaware of corruption in local courts more and more evident in places such as Kentucky. The prosecutor, appointed lawyers, paid lawyers, and judge are all in the same racket.

 

Support BLM and support the protestors! #AmericanHistory

 

No Justice No Peace Prosecute The Police ????

[J Town]

Every normal president would have come right out and condemned these actions. I guess 45 is too busy calling in to Fox Business ranting crazily about getting Obama arrested.

 

Instead, we get the sound of crickets.

[Credo]

3 minutes ago, J Town said:

Every normal president would have come right out and condemned these actions. I guess 45 is too busy calling in to Fox Business ranting crazily about getting Obama arrested.

 

Instead, we get the sound of crickets.

Well, there maybe some fine people in these groups.   We must exercise care in condemning them.   And anyway maybe they were just on stand by.

 

[Berkshire]

18 minutes ago, blazes said:

[And, just btw,  anyone who sees no difference between white supremacists and anarchists is in serious need of an education in the history of western civilization.]

 

Any left or right wing group that commits a terrorist act or intends to commit a terrorist act needs to go to prison.  Clear enough for you?

[Scott]

Off-topic post and reply removed. 

 

[spidermike007]

They are likely devotees of 44 (the 44th worst ever). Or zealots that were motivated by his consistently hateful, and divisive rhetoric.

 

President Trump on Thursday twice referred to Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) as a "monster" following her debate performance against Vice President Pence the evening prior. Trump’s comments, made in his first interview since his coronavirus diagnosis, were made during an exchange about Biden’s fitness for office. Trump claimed that Biden “won’t be president for two months” if elected because he is not “mentally capable of being president,” before tearing into Harris.

 

Is Trump now totally unhinged? You be the judge. He is panicked. His numbers are dropping daily, and he is facing the greatest humiliation of his lifetime, and he is melting down before our eyes. 

[Eric Loh]

"Trump Tells Three Democratic States to ‘Liberate’ Themselves"

Could this be the genesis of this militia group?

 

[bendejo]

Notice how this sort is particularly threatened by women in positions of influence.

Just look at how, even in here, they froth at the mouth merely at the mention of AOC and Greta Thunberg, to name just two.

Somethin' 'taint right with these boys.

 

 

[bendejo]

8 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Is Trump now totally unhinged?

I heard this morning on Fox & Friends he called for the arrest  of Obama, Hillary, and Biden, and that Biden should be banned from being allowed to run for president.  I don't have the stomach to look that up myself.

 

 

[Berkshire]

2 minutes ago, bendejo said:

12 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Is Trump now totally unhinged?

I heard this morning on Fox & Friends he called for the arrest  of Obama, Hillary, and Biden, and that Biden should be banned from being allowed to run for president.  I don't have the stomach to look that up myself.

It's called desperation.  And he's demanding that AG Barr do it before the election.  Barr doesn't realize that whatever he does is never enough for this President.  It's "what have you done for me lately" all the time.