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==Background==
==Background==
Preceding the [[2020 United States elections]], law enforcement officials, members of [[United States Congress|Congress]], and groups tracking extremism in the country have warned about "the increasing threat potential from militia and far-right groups".<ref name=CNN>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/08/politics/fbi-plot-michigan-governor-gretchen-whitmer/index.html|title=Feds charge six men accused in plot to kidnap Michigan governor|publisher=CNN|last=Carrega|first=Christina|date=October 8, 2020|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref> Governor [[Gretchen Whitmer]], the main target of the plot, had been a target of criticism from far-right groups for her response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan]], in which she enacted strict mitigation measures, including a lockdown of the state. These measures triggered [[2020 United States anti-lockdown protests#Michigan|protests]] in April and May, including one in which armed protesters stormed the [[Michigan State Capitol]].<ref name="DFP"/><ref name=CNN/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54470427|title=FBI busts militia 'plot' to abduct Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer|publisher=BBC News|date=October 8, 2020|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref>
Preceding the [[2020 United States elections]], law enforcement officials, members of [[United States Congress|Congress]], and groups tracking extremism in the country have warned about the increasing threat potential from militia and far-right groups.<ref name=CNN>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/08/politics/fbi-plot-michigan-governor-gretchen-whitmer/index.html|title=Feds charge six men accused in plot to kidnap Michigan governor|publisher=CNN|last=Carrega|first=Christina|date=October 8, 2020|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref> Governor [[Gretchen Whitmer]], the main target of the plot, had been a target of criticism from far-right groups for her response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan]], in which she enacted strict mitigation measures, including a lockdown of the state. These measures triggered [[2020 United States anti-lockdown protests#Michigan|protests]] in April and May, including one in which armed protesters stormed the [[Michigan State Capitol]].<ref name="DFP"/><ref name=CNN/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54470427|title=FBI busts militia 'plot' to abduct Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer|publisher=BBC News|date=October 8, 2020|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref>


There had been reports earlier in the year about private [[Facebook]] groups making threatening posts about Whitmer.<ref name=Axios>{{cite news|url=https://www.axios.com/michigan-gretchen-whitmer-kidnap-32d06af2-30d1-4a38-8474-ff98664e9161.html|title=6 people charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer|publisher=Axios|last=Arias|first=Maria|date=October 8, 2020|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref> In April, a [[Detroit]] man was charged with threatening to kill Whitmer and [[Michigan Attorney General]] [[Dana Nessel]].<ref name=FreeP2/>
There had been reports earlier in the year about private [[Facebook]] groups making threatening posts about Whitmer.<ref name=Axios>{{cite news|url=https://www.axios.com/michigan-gretchen-whitmer-kidnap-32d06af2-30d1-4a38-8474-ff98664e9161.html|title=6 people charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer|publisher=Axios|last=Arias|first=Maria|date=October 8, 2020|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref> In April, a [[Detroit]] man was charged with threatening to kill Whitmer and [[Michigan Attorney General]] [[Dana Nessel]].<ref name=FreeP2/>


==Suspects==
==Suspects==

Revision as of 21:05, 8 October 2020

Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot
LocationMichigan
TargetGretchen Whitmer, Michigan State Capitol
Attack type
Attempted kidnapping
Deaths0
PerpetratorsWolverine Watchmen militia group
No. of participants
13

On October 8, 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested 13 armed militia members who plotted to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan.[1][2][3][4] Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called the aborted plot "one of the largest cases in recent history" and labeled the case as "rather unprecedented" in nature.[5] Six of the suspects were charged with federal crimes, while the other seven were charged with state crimes.

Background

Preceding the 2020 United States elections, law enforcement officials, members of Congress, and groups tracking extremism in the country have warned about the increasing threat potential from militia and far-right groups.[6] Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the main target of the plot, had been a target of criticism from far-right groups for her response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, in which she enacted strict mitigation measures, including a lockdown of the state. These measures triggered protests in April and May, including one in which armed protesters stormed the Michigan State Capitol.[1][6][7]

There had been reports earlier in the year about private Facebook groups making threatening posts about Whitmer.[8] In April, a Detroit man was charged with threatening to kill Whitmer and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.[9]

Suspects

The suspects were tied to the Wolverine Watchmen militia.[10][11] The suspects named in the federal indictment were Adam Fox, Ty Garbin, Barry Croft, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta. Five of the men were Michigan residents, while the sixth was from Delaware.[12][13] The suspects charged with state crimes were Shawn Fix, Eric Molitor, Michael Null, William Null, Pete Musico, Joseph Morrison, and Paul Bellar.[14]

Fox and Croft were accused of being the ringleaders of the plot. According to a reporter with NBC affiliate WOOD-TV, Fox had been living in the basement of his former workplace at a vacuum shop, having been permitted to stay there by the owner because Fox was homeless and had dogs. The basement was used to hold one of the group's meetings.[15] Fox posted a YouTube video in June mentioning Governor Whitmer's handling of the pandemic as one of his motives for the plot.[2] Caserta was depicted wearing a Hawaiian-style tee shirt associated with the Boogaloo Boys in a TikTok video and on Facebook, praised Kyle Rittenhouse, a civilian who shot and killed two protesters during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Castera was also a "COVID-19 denier" and supported the QAnon conspiracy theory.[16]

Plot

In early 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) became aware of the plot through social media chats concerning the violent overthrow of state governments and law enforcement. The FBI started infiltrating the group online and in person with informants in June, according to a criminal complaint.[6][8][9] The plot was reportedly hatched during the group's meetings in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb located northwest of Columbus.[17]

The plotters reportedly discussed recruiting up to 200 people to "storm" the Michigan State Capitol, take Whitmer and others as hostages, and use Molotov cocktails to keep police at bay.[1][10] There were also discussions of attacking a Michigan State Police station.[18] They bought weapons such as an 800,000-volt taser and held training and planning meetings.[1] They also brought in a member of another militia, who later became an informant for the FBI in the investigation, but the second militia's involvement in the plot was kept minimal.[18]

At some point, the plan shifted to kidnapping Whitmer at her vacation home on Mackinac Island and taking her to a location in Wisconsin while attacking a highway with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to divert police attention. The group purportedly rehearsed their plans and plotted for months ahead of time, discussing hiring a real estate agent to find the home and get advance knowledge of the surrounding area. In August and September, they conducted surveillance on the home. They also tested an IED, but it failed. The suspects planned to try Whitmer for treason before November 3, the day of the election, and "unite others in their cause and take violent action against multiple state governments that they believe are violating the U.S. Constitution."[1][9][10][19] They also discussed starting a second civil war and creating a new society that adhered to the U.S. Bill of Rights.[1][4]

Legal proceedings

Six people were charged with federal crimes, including conspiracy to commit kidnapping, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, while Nessel has charged seven other people with state crimes, including plotting to target law enforcement and attack the Michigan State Capitol building.[10]

Reactions

Whitmer spoke out after the thwarted plot was revealed by the FBI, thanking the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation. In the same statement, she cast blame on President Donald Trump for refusing to condemn far-right groups. State Senator Mike Shirkey and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine also condemned the plot.[6][20]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Egan, Paul; Baldas, Tresa (October 8, 2020). "'Deeply disturbing': Feds charge six militia members in domestic terror plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Leone, Jared (October 8, 2020). "FBI thwarts militia plot to kidnap Michigan governor". WSOC-TV. Cox Media Group. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  3. ^ Snell, Robert; Burke, Melissa Nann. "Plans to kidnap Whitmer, overthrow government spoiled, officials say". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas; Dewan, Shaila; Gray, Kathleen (October 8, 2020). "F.B.I. Says a Michigan Militia Plotted to Kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  5. ^ Ferretti, Christine; Snell, Robert (October 8, 2020). "Men detonated explosive, used encrypted messages in Whitmer kidnap plot, feds say". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d Carrega, Christina (October 8, 2020). "Feds charge six men accused in plot to kidnap Michigan governor". CNN. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  7. ^ "FBI busts militia 'plot' to abduct Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer". BBC News. October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Arias, Maria (October 8, 2020). "6 people charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer". Axios. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c Moran, Darcie; Jackson, Angie (October 8, 2020). "Wolverine Watchmen members plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: Here's what we know". Detroit Free-Press. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d White, Ed (October 8, 2020). "13 charged in plots against Michigan governor, police". AP NEWS. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  11. ^ "AG Nessel Charges 7 under Michigan's Anti-Terrorism Act as Part of Massive Joint Law Enforcement Investigation". WSYM-TV. October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  12. ^ Mangan, Dan (October 8, 2020). "Six men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer". MSN News. CNBC. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  13. ^ Clark, Nathan (October 8, 2020). "$10 million bond set for Munith men arrested in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer". Michigan Live. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  14. ^ "FBI thwarted militia plot to kidnap Whitmer, overthrow state government". WJRT-TV. October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  15. ^ Crump, James (October 8, 2020). "Inside the basement where group allegedly plotted to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer". The Independent. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  16. ^ Covucci, David; Thalen, Mikael (October 8, 2020). "Pro-Kyle Rittenhouse coronavirus denier arrested in plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer". The Daily Dot. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  17. ^ Borchardt, Jackie; Balmert, Jessie (October 8, 2020). "Feds: Plan to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hatched in Ohio suburb". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  18. ^ a b Winter, Tom; Kosnar, Michael; Li, David K. (October 8, 2020). "13 men charged in alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer". NBC News. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  19. ^ Chute, Nate (October 8, 2020). "What we know about the plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer and how the FBI foiled the militia's plan". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  20. ^ Balmert, Jessie; Borchardt, Jackie (October 8, 2020). "Gov. Mike DeWine on Ohio-hatched plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: 'A despicable act'". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved October 8, 2020.

External links

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