Michigan governor kidnapping plot

[was5]

Based on local news reports, this group had been under surveillance since February. If the FBI thought the governor or anyone else was in immediate danger they would have stepped in sooner. Still scary but glad to know that the FBI was on top of this one.

[minzy]

Oct 8, 2020 20:59:43 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

“MY Justice Department” 🤯🤬😡
Additional rage at all the rest of it

[smock]

Oct 9, 2020 8:37:45 GMT -5 was5 said:

Based on local news reports, this group had been under surveillance since February. If the FBI thought the governor or anyone else was in immediate danger they would have stepped in sooner. Still scary but glad to know that the FBI was on top of this one.

Then why didn't the FBI do anything when several of these terrorists showed up at the Michigan capitol with guns? If the FBI thought they were dangerous enough to put under surveillance, why let them storm the capitol carrying loaded semi-automatic assault weapons?

Why did they wait until days before these terrorists were planning to kidnap and murder a woman they've been terrorizing for months? I'm guessing it's because of our fucked up gun laws, which allow armed terrorists to walk into government buildings while law enforcement protect their "right" to be there, and because they're white.

[was5]

Oct 9, 2020 9:26:05 GMT -5 smock said:

Oct 9, 2020 8:37:45 GMT -5 was5 said:

Based on local news reports, this group had been under surveillance since February. If the FBI thought the governor or anyone else was in immediate danger they would have stepped in sooner. Still scary but glad to know that the FBI was on top of this one.

Then why didn't the FBI do anything when several of these terrorists showed up at the Michigan capitol with guns? If the FBI thought they were dangerous enough to put under surveillance, why let them storm the capitol carrying loaded semi-automatic assault weapons?

Why did they wait until days before these terrorists were planning to kidnap and murder a woman they've been terrorizing for months? I'm guessing it's because of our fucked up gun laws, which allow armed terrorists to walk into government buildings while law enforcement protect their "right" to be there, and because they're white.

I agree the ability to threaten lawmakers and LEOs on the capitol with guns without consequence is ridiculous and because they are white.

In regard to this particular group of individuals and the plot against the governor, I'm not an expert, but I can only assume they were letting it go on to get more evidence to make a stronger case for conviction. I think the FBI finally moved in because the group was beginning to pool their money to purchase explosives.

[mbcdefg]

Michigan's attorney general says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her family were at times moved around by authorities as law enforcement tracked the men who they say plotted for months to kidnap her. Whitmer was also consistently updated about the plot.

apnews.com/article/gretchen-whitmer-vacation-homes-archive-michigan-9eef9d8cf48542a455a7dbfe102a54c9?utm_medium=AP&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter

[HRH Queen Dick I]

The author Jenny Trout tweeted that two members of her extended family were charged in the plot.

[winecat]

Oct 8, 2020 19:44:27 GMT -5 @peep said:

Oct 8, 2020 19:00:41 GMT -5 winecat said:

There were people in one of my food truck groups discussion whether or not they could deduct the purchase of their guns as a business expense.  I'd bet those nut jobs believe it too.

I am an accountant. You do not want to know how many times in my career I've been asked that very question. Or how angry and argumentative people get when you say no.

Based on the comments to the post, I have no doubt.

[mbcdefg]

Man charged in plot to kidnap Whitmer shared stage with West Michigan sheriff at rally

www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/michigan/man-charged-in-plot-to-kidnap-whitmer-shared-stage-with-west-michigan-sheriff-at-rally?fbclid=IwAR3mZmwS1KYgJEorKbokBCQoCqfwxlAdX_cpp6uTD1-_z4oYizVWP9353B0

William Null was spotted on stage standing alongside Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf, a guest speaker at the event.

FOX 17 spoke with Sheriff Leaf Thursday night.

“I haven't read everything up on it, I've got other duties to do, it wasn't our investigation. I was shocked, did not see this coming with those guys, but still we can't convict them in the media here, they do have a right to a fair trial,” Leaf said.

Leaf says he doesn’t know of Null’s alleged involvement in the plot and doesn’t have any regrets about being on stage with him.

“Do you have any regrets about being on stage, sharing a stage with a guy who’s now being charged in a plot to kidnap the governor?” asked FOX 17’s Aaron Parseghian.

“It’s just a charge, and they say a 'plot to kidnap' and you got to remember that. Are they trying to kidnap? Because a lot of people are angry with the governor, and they want her arrested. So are they trying to arrest or was it a kidnap attempt? Because you can still in Michigan if it's a felony, make a felony arrest,” Leaf said.

“I think it's MCL 764.4, 764.5 somewhere on there [MCL 764.16]and it doesn't say if you are an elected office that you're exempt from that arrest. I have to look at it from that angle and I’m hoping that's more what it is, in fact, these guys are innocent till proven guilty so I’m not even sure if they had any part of it,” Leaf added.

The sheriff insists the Null brothers were always very nice and respectful.

“The two gentlemen that I know of from my county, were they involved in that? I don't know. They're innocent till proven guilty. And we really, really should be careful, trying to try them in the media,” Leaf said.

Sheriff Leaf also said he does feel for the governor and that no one should be threatened with violence.

[lust2hart]

Well I sure am glad the FBI wasn't counting on that sheriff's help with this case.

ETA: I guess that's not very fair to him. I probably shouldn't assume he wouldn't have helped collect evidence or surveil as required. 

[downtoearth]

Oct 9, 2020 12:16:09 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I said:

The author Jenny Trout tweeted that two members of her extended family were charged in the plot.

OMG - so entertaining. I love her Grandma's quote about them, 

"But my Grandma Z did make a statement: "Those little shits."

[isabel]

Oct 9, 2020 7:57:13 GMT -5 TR said:

omg to the detailing of MI geography and roads.

Seriously. Can we not? Geez.

[isabel]

Oct 9, 2020 9:41:41 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Michigan's attorney general says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her family were at times moved around by authorities as law enforcement tracked the men who they say plotted for months to kidnap her. Whitmer was also consistently updated about the plot.

apnews.com/article/gretchen-whitmer-vacation-homes-archive-michigan-9eef9d8cf48542a455a7dbfe102a54c9?utm_medium=AP&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter

My God. Can you imagine knowing that and having to just continue living your life as if everything is normal? This is somehow even more horrifying to me than her not knowing.

[lust2hart]

Oct 9, 2020 23:31:55 GMT -5 isabel said:

Oct 9, 2020 9:41:41 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Michigan's attorney general says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her family were at times moved around by authorities as law enforcement tracked the men who they say plotted for months to kidnap her. Whitmer was also consistently updated about the plot.

apnews.com/article/gretchen-whitmer-vacation-homes-archive-michigan-9eef9d8cf48542a455a7dbfe102a54c9?utm_medium=AP&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter

My God. Can you imagine knowing that and having to just continue living your life as if everything is normal? This is somehow even more horrifying to me than her not knowing.

She’s got nerves of steel.

[winecat]

Oct 10, 2020 0:30:22 GMT -5 lust2hart said:

Oct 9, 2020 23:31:55 GMT -5 isabel said:

My God. Can you imagine knowing that and having to just continue living your life as if everything is normal? This is somehow even more horrifying to me than her not knowing.

She’s got nerves of steel.

All while trying to figure out how to protect the citizens of her state while fighting with the GOP state legislature and the Infector in Chief.  

[sparty04]

I wonder if Trump has known about this for awhile too? And continued to attack her on twitter

[AAM2012]

Oct 10, 2020 7:18:14 GMT -5 sparty04 said:

I wonder if Trump has known about this for awhile too? And continued to attack her on twitter

I’m guessing they never told him...

[litebright]

Oct 10, 2020 7:18:14 GMT -5 sparty04 said:

I wonder if Trump has known about this for awhile too? And continued to attack her on twitter

There is no way he would keep his yap shut about it if he'd known. Between his inability to resist hinting that he has insider knowledge, his glee that one of his "enemies" was being targeted and simultaneous jealousy that someone else would get that kind of attention/focus/spotlight (he's a narcissist, he would be mad about her getting attention, even *that* kind of attention), I just don't believe he knew. 

Maybe a "regular" president -- and AG, for that matter -- might have been informed about it in things like the president's daily briefing or as part of asking to be informed about violent reactions to the covid activity restrictions. 

But we know that Trump doesn't do, and has no interest in, anything like a conventional, detailed daily briefing. And honestly, why should/would the "corrupt FBI" flag anything for this administration that it doesn't absolutely have to, particularly ongoing investigations? Even if something filtered up from the immediate investigators, Chris Wray is on thin ice with this administration, I guarantee that neither he nor any of his lower-level folks are going to be eager to bring up to Trump or anyone in his immediate circle that "Hey BTW, we are investigating a far-right militia in a swing state." 

[aspentosh]

Oct 10, 2020 0:30:22 GMT -5 lust2hart said:

Oct 9, 2020 23:31:55 GMT -5 isabel said:

My God. Can you imagine knowing that and having to just continue living your life as if everything is normal? This is somehow even more horrifying to me than her not knowing.

She’s got nerves of steel.

Right? 

This story is terrifying to read. It makes me wonder how many more schemes like this are going on regularly. This world, man.

[milkyway]

Lurker here. I live in the county that the sheriff resides over. When the state went into lockdown in the Spring, he publicly stated that his deputies would not enforce any of the Governor’s executive orders. We had camping reservations at a local campground and when I called to cancel because of Covid and the fact that they were not supposed to be open, the owner told me they personally talked to the sheriff and he let them know his department would turn a blind eye and allow them to open. I still cancelled. He won’t allow his deputies to respond to calls about non mask use because it’s not a law, so they don’t have to enforce it. He’s been an asshole from the very beginning.

[4speedy]

Oct 10, 2020 7:18:14 GMT -5 sparty04 said:

I wonder if Trump has known about this for awhile too? And continued to attack her on twitter

He can’t keep his mouth shut.  If he knew, he would have used it against her.  He would have said he’s right, she’s wrong, everybody hates her and the proof is that citizens of her own state wanted to kill her.  No way he would have kept it to himself if he knew and could taunt her with it.

[timorousbeastie]

Republican leaders join anti-Whitmer rally outside Capitol after FBI reports murder plot against her

Hours after news broke about a militia plot to kidnap and kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) and State House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) took to the Capitol steps during a right-wing anti-Whitmer rally Thursday.

“This is no time to be weak in our commitment to freedom,” Shirkey said to the crowd. “We need to be strong…and not be afraid of those who are taking our freedoms away from us.”

www.michiganadvance.com/2020/10/08/republican-leaders-join-anti-whitmer-rally-outside-capitol-after-fbi-reports-murder-plot-against-her/?fbclid=IwAR0I-9HMyzHLGT5SKRgAQolQKl0I3FeE2CO-FwScVf0rNXALWZmse6hRyXU

[mrsukyankee]

Oct 11, 2020 10:15:39 GMT -5 timorousbeastie said:

Republican leaders join anti-Whitmer rally outside Capitol after FBI reports murder plot against her

Hours after news broke about a militia plot to kidnap and kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) and State House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) took to the Capitol steps during a right-wing anti-Whitmer rally Thursday.

“This is no time to be weak in our commitment to freedom,” Shirkey said to the crowd. “We need to be strong…and not be afraid of those who are taking our freedoms away from us.”

www.michiganadvance.com/2020/10/08/republican-leaders-join-anti-whitmer-rally-outside-capitol-after-fbi-reports-murder-plot-against-her/?fbclid=IwAR0I-9HMyzHLGT5SKRgAQolQKl0I3FeE2CO-FwScVf0rNXALWZmse6hRyXU

What disgusting excuses for human beings those two Republicans are showing themselves to be.

[Beeps (WOT?*)]

Oct 10, 2020 16:11:20 GMT -5 milkyway said:

Lurker here. I live in the county that the sheriff resides over. When the state went into lockdown in the Spring, he publicly stated that his deputies would not enforce any of the Governor’s executive orders. We had camping reservations at a local campground and when I called to cancel because of Covid and the fact that they were not supposed to be open, the owner told me they personally talked to the sheriff and he let them know his department would turn a blind eye and allow them to open. I still cancelled. He won’t allow his deputies to respond to calls about non mask use because it’s not a law, so they don’t have to enforce it. He’s been an asshole from the very beginning.

We are having a recall against our sheriff for this very same reason. There are at least a few in WA state that are open about not enforcing the mandates.

"Constitutional Sheriffs" are a white supremacist organization who think the federal government has no authority to infringe on "their rights." (accent on *their* because rights only belong to whites and/or conservatives.)


www.seattletimes.com/opinion/constitutionalist-sheriffs-wont-enforce-coronavirus-restrictions/

www.politicalresearch.org/2019/06/10/how-a-right-wing-network-mobilized-sheriffs-departments

[prettyinpearls]

Dar Leaf is the sheriff in my county and I've hated him for a long time. There is NO WAY he didn't know who those guys were. His statement is spot on for the disgusting excuse for law enforcement he is.

@@@ A few years ago we took our boys (7 and 4 at the time) to the county fair and they wanted to stop by the Sheriff booth to get all the swag that's normally handed out to kids. My boys were saying thank you to the booth workers and I overheard the sheriff talking shit about a deputy that was running against him. He was saying some pretty awful (and crude) things within earshot of my kids. I gave him a dirty look and just shook my head in disgust.

[mbcdefg]

FBI: Whitmer plotters also discussed kidnapping Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam


www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/ralph-northam-gretchen-witmer-kidnapping-plot/2020/10/13/26b4e31a-0d5f-11eb-b1e8-16b59b92b36d_story.html

www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/13/fbi-groups-also-discussed-kidnapping-virginia-governor

[mrsd2006]

WOW.

www.cnn.com/2022/04/08/politics/whitmer-trial/index.html

A federal jury on Friday found two men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer not guilty of kidnapping conspiracy and a mistrial was declared for two other defendants.

Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta faced federal charges for allegedly conspiring to kidnap the Democratic governor.

Harris and Caserta were found not guilty of kidnapping conspiracy. The jury also found Harris not guilty on other charges. The jury could not reach a verdict for Fox and Croft, after which US District Judge Robert Jonker declared a mistrial for those defendants.

[livinitup]

“We’re the party of law and order”.