Revelations showing how brazen far right groups have become

LOS ANGELES: The plot to storm the Michigan state capital, kidnap the governor and put her on trial for ‘‘uncontrolled power’’ yesterday revealed how brazen farright armed extremists groups have become in recent years at striking out against the Government and those they hold in contempt for perceived threats against their liberties.

The elaborate plan, uncovered by Federal Bureau of Investigation and state agents, fed into already growing fears among government and civil rights groups about extremists preparing to incite violence ahead of the presidential election and, as Michigan Attorneygeneral Dana Nessel described it yesterday, ‘‘instigate a civil war’’.

Altogether, 13 people were charged this week by state and federal authorities in schemes, yet another indication that the longtime warnings and fears about the fringe ramblings of extremist chatrooms and messenger platforms were coming closer to reality.

Six men were named in federal court in a conspiracy to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, according to a complaint that said the FBI intercepted encrypted messages about their plans and had undercover agents and informants in the group, reportedly angry over restrictions the governor put in place to control the coronavirus outbreak in the state.

Additionally, seven members of a group known as the Wolverine Watchmen were separately named in state court in connection with the kidnapping plans, violating Michigan’s antiterrorism laws, targeting law enforcement and attempting to instigate a war ‘‘leading to societal collapse,’’ according to an affidavit.

State police said the two groups together planned ‘‘various acts of violence’’ and held joint training operations.

‘‘When I put my hand on the Bible and took the oath of office 22 months ago, I knew this job would be hard,’’ Whitmer said yesterday. The Democrat’s administration has faced protests and lawsuits over restrictions put in place to control the pandemic. ‘‘But I’ll be honest, I never could have imagined anything like this.’’

The unveiling of the elaborate plot has raised growing concerns of violence by extremists ahead of the election on November 3. In recent months, civil rights organisations, domestic terrorism experts and the federal government have warned of the threat of rightwing extremism.

The arrests in Michigan came in the same week that a report from the Department of Homeland Security warned that white supremacy was now the ‘‘most persistent and lethal threat in the homeland’’ and said ‘‘antigovernment groups and antiauthority extremists could be motivated to conduct attacks in response to perceived infringement of liberties and government overreach.’’

Whitmer blamed President Donald Trump, who has followed a pattern during his presidency of refusing to condemn rightwing extremist groups or done so in vague terms only to change his tone after criticism.

‘‘When our leaders speak, their words matter. They carry weight,’’ Whitmer said. The state and federal charges do not indicate that those charged were inspired by Trump, who has repeatedly criticised Whitmer for restrictions she imposed on business and houses of worship to prevent the spread of Covid19 . — Reuters