Militia group plotted to kidnap Michigan governor, feds say

LANSING, Mich. – The federal government has charged six people with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in an alleged domestic terrorist plot, according to newly unsealed court records.

Seven others face state charges, brought by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. All 13 are in custody, officials said.

Members of a militia group purchased weapons, conducted surveillance, and held training and planning meetings, but were foiled in part because the FBI was able to infiltrate the group with informants, according to charges officials planned to detail Thursday.

Plans included kidnapping Whitmer and putting her on trial for treason, officials allege.

“I knew this job would be hard,” Whitmer said hours after learning of the alleged plot to kidnap her. “But I never could have imagined anything like this.”

Whitmer thanked law enforcement and prosecutors for thwarting the plot and pursing criminal charges “to bring these sick and depraved men to justice.”

“As the mom of two teenage daughters and three stepsons, my husband and I are eternally grateful to everyone who put themselves in harm’s way to keep our family safe,” Whitmer said.

Whitmer also lashed out at President Donald Trump and accused him of “stoking distrust,” “fomenting anger” and emboldening hate groups who “spread fear and hatred and division.”

“Just last week, the president of the United States ... refused to condemn white supremacists, like these two Michigan militia groups,” Whitmer said, referring to Trump’s debate appearance. “’Stand back and stand by,’ he told them. Stand back and stand by – hate groups heard the president’s word not as a rebuke but as a rallying cry, as a call to action.”

The Democratic governor stressed: “When our leaders speak, their words matter, they carry weight.”

Col. Joseph Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police, which worked with federal agents on the investigation, called the case “unprecedented,” and “one of the largest cases in recent history that the Michigan State Police has been involved in.”

The FBI became aware early in 2020, through social media, that a militia group was “discussing the violent overthrow of certain government and law enforcement components,” and “agreed to take violent action,” according to a sworn affidavit.

Members of the group talked about “murdering ... tyrants” or “taking” a sitting governor, according to the affidavit. One of the relevant meetings the FBI monitored was held June 20 in Grand Rapids, the affidavit alleges. Another meeting was held at a home in Luther, Michigan, and in Munith.

Discussions included using 200 men to “storm” the Capitol Building in Lansing, kidnap hostages, including Whitmer, and try the governor for treason, according to the affidavit.

The group met for field exercises and training this year and conducted surveillance of the governor’s vacation home on at least two occasions in late August and September, the affidavit alleges. They also purchased a high-voltage Taser and night goggles for use in the kidnapping plot, according to court records. Members of the plot said they wanted to complete the kidnapping before the Nov. 3 election, according to the affidavit.

“All of us can disagree about politics, but those disagreements should never, ever result in violence,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider in the Eastern District of Michigan. “The allegations in this complaint are deeply disturbing. We owe our thanks to the men and women of law enforcement who uncovered this plot and have worked so hard to protect Gov. Whitmer.”