Wolves were watched Far Right militia ‘plotted to kill US governor’

LANSING: The FBI has thwarted a plot by a militia group known as the Wolverine Watchmen to kidnap Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer and overthrow the state government.

The far-right group plotted to assassinate Ms Whitmer, once regarded as a genuine chance of being Joe Biden’s running mate, and five others.

Michigan Attorney-general Dana Nessel said seven men tied to Wolverine Watchmen “made threats of violence intended to instigate a civil war

Policemen point at protesters on the streets of Jakarta. Picture: GETTY and engaged in planning and training for an operation to attack the state’s capitol building in Lansing and kidnap government officials, including the governor”.

The men were arrested after they planned to meet to “make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear”, the FBI said in a court filing.

“Several members talked about murdering ‘tyrants’ or ‘taking’ a sitting governor.”

Ms Whitmer, who was criticised by Donald Trump for maintaining strict COVID-19 lockdowns as he implored states to ease restrictions, said the President had “given comfort” to groups such as the Wolverine Watchmen.

“Our head of state has spent the last seven months denying science, ignoring his own health experts, stoking distrust, fomenting anger and giving comfort to those who spread fear and division,” she said.

“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 Michigan militia. Hate groups heard his words not as a rebuke, but as a rallying cry, a call to action.”

One of the men was accused of saying Ms Whitmer “has no checks and balances at hatred and all. She has uncontrolled power right now. All good things must come to an end.”

Authorities revealed the existence of the Wolverine Watchmen militia group while detailing allegations against the 13 men charged with plotting to kidnap Ms Whitmer and spark a civil war.

Ms Nessel said seven of the men — all of whom are in custody on state charges under Michigan’s Anti-terrorism

Act — were “linked to the militia group and its associates”.

The New York Post reported that the Wolverine Watchmen appeared to have no online presence and were not listed among 576 “extreme anti-government groups” identified as active in 2019.

According to a sworn affidavit from an undercover FBI agent who attended a meeting of the group, members planned to watch Ms Whitmer’s holiday home and blow up a nearby bridge to divert attention as they attempted to kidnap her.