Early Thursday morning, federal authorities announced they had thwarted a coordinated plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer at her vacation home and overthrow the state’s government before the November election. The Detroit News reported that 13 people were arrested in connection with the plan, six of whom are facing a number of federal terrorism and conspiracy charges. The remaining seven, who were charged at a state level with supporting terrorist activities and using firearms to commit felonies, stand accused of attempting to target police and the state Capitol, and are reportedly connected with the militia group Wolverine Watchmen. In a press conference, Michigan State Police Col. Joe Gasper called the case “rather unprecedented,” and added that “it does send a very vivid reminder that while we may be in a period of discourse, possibly even divisiveness and fighting across the nation, law enforcement stands united.”
According to a criminal complaint filed by FBI Special Agent Richard Trask II, “in early 2020 the FBI became aware through social media that a group of individuals were discussing the violent overthrow of certain government and law enforcement components” in Michigan. Some of those individuals have been identified as Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta. All are residents of Michigan except Croft, who lives in Delaware. While the FBI reportedly tracked their movements and correspondence through social media, Confidential Human Sources (CHS) and Undercover Employees (UCE) were also used, and were present during multiple meetings concerning the kidnapping. “Those CHSs and UCEs consensually recorded the meetings and conversations with the subjects,” states the complaint.
The planned attack of a sitting government official was reportedly uncovered by the FBI around the time that Donald Trump tweeted “Liberate MICHIGAN.” A month later, he tweeted, “The Governor of Michigan should give a little, and put out the fire. These are very good people.” In turn, militia members have shown themselves ready and willing to incite violence at the president’s command. Trump’s recent “stand back and stand by” comment regarding white nationalist group the Proud Boys suggested a heretofore unspoken level of synergy.
In response to the news of her own planned kidnapping, Whitmer criticized Trump for “stoking distrust” and “giving comfort to those who spread fear and division.” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who recently tested positive for COVID-19, hit back with her own statement, writing, “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.” In an appearance on Fox News Thursday, Trump campaign official Jason Miller likewise suggested that Whitmer had it coming:
Local militias have come out in increased force this year following nationwide demonstrations against police violence and systemic racism. In addition to making their presence known at protests, militia members in Michigan were active in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic as Whitmer moved to lock down the state. In March, she issued the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order as cases spiked, prompting armed demonstrators to flood the Capitol building in Lansing. As my colleague Caleb Ecarma wrote, one demonstrator waved a sign that read, “Trump, lock up the Nazi woman from Michigan” and chanted “Lock her up!” on the front lawn. MLive reporter Malachi Barrett called the event “half protest, half [Donald] Trump rally;” the president had recently demanded that states start “OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN!”
According the affidavit, Adam Fox, one of those apprehended, complained about the closed gyms in Michigan and called Whitmer “a tyrant bitch” in a video live-stream to a private Facebook group where one of the CHSs was present. “I don’t know boys we gotta do something,” he said in the video. “You guys link with me on our other location system, give me some ideas of what we can do.”
Four of the six men who were federally charged reportedly planned to meet on Wednesday to “make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear.” The group is also said to have consulted and trained with militia members and to have undertaken rehearsals of the kidnapping in August and September. If convicted, they could face up to life in prison.
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