On Wednesday October 7th, an extensive plot revolving around the kidnapping and quite possibly even the murder of the Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, was busted by the FBI. They charged 13 men who claimed to be a part of, or working with, an anti-government group. The group planned to abduct Whitmer and place her on trial for “treason” and violating the constitution before the election. Meetings throughout the summer were held with people participating in firearms training, combat drills, and even discussion of the crime in a shop’s basement only accessible through a trap door under a rug. Clearly, they had everything they needed. The plan was, however, doomed to fail from the start as among the summer participants, was an informant for the FBI. The premise of treason I assume has at least partial relation to the state’s lockdown orders as two brothers who were going to participate in the kidnapping, William and Michael Null, also protested Gov. Whitmer’s coronavirus protection orders in April.
“From left to right, Brandon Caserta, Adam Fox, Kaleb Franks, Ty Garbin and Daniel Harris, the five men from Michigan who were charged by federal authorities with plotting to kidnap Ms. Whitmer. The sixth man charged by the federal authorities, Barry Croft, lives in Delaware”. Kent County Sheriff, via Associated Press
In response to the news of a threat on her life, Whitmer said, “I knew this job would be hard, but I’ll be honest, I never could have imagined anything like this.” According to NYT, Whitmer and the Michigan attorney general, Dana Nessel, “tied the extremist plot to comments from President Trump and his refusal at times to condemn white supremacists and violent right-wing groups.” Examples can be recalled from during the presidential debate just a week ago or the response to the Charlottesville riots. A video of her response is found below.
I find the entire scenario disturbing and also confusing. Disturbing in regards to the lengths people may go due to the pandemic and appropriate responses to the pandemic itself. Confusing in regards to myself in regards to how can people self justify such extreme measures for a disproportionately intense situation. Sure, the Declaration of Independence states “that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends[unalienable rights], it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government” but how can people equate not being allowed outside, or at least being required to wear a mask temporarily to an oppression on their liberty worth ruining your life over.
Source 3 : Guardian
3 comments:
This is absolutely horrifying. To disagree with the governor’s policies is one matter, but to threaten the safety of fellow Michigan citizens, and to plot to murder Whitmer is sickening, and demonstrates the weight of the possible transition of power as the Presidential election nears. I am shocked that these individuals were prompted to physically hurt Governor Whitmer primarily due to the restrictions she imposed to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in March. The thirteen men involved are now in the process of facing justice, but I wonder how different this situation would have looked had the FBI not been alerted of the dangers these men posed early on. In times when trust in government leadership has been repeatedly questioned, and when the President of our country refuses to condemn white supremacy, it seems that this violent behavior is, as Governor Whitmer stated, “encouraged” and “legitimized.” President Trump’s twitter response is no better, consisting of personal attacks on Governor Whitmer’s leadership and stay-at-home orders in early spring. As characteristic throughout much of his Presidency, Trump has been divisive in his words and actions, which is not only frustrating and frightening, but further strengthens the “rallying cry” hate groups received through his words in the first Presidential debate.
For me, when I first heard about this story, I was astonished that a group of people would concoct a plot to execute a governor simply because they disagreed with her policies. It was particularly sickening that they were planning to hold a trial before her execution as if their makeshift trial is any justification for their vigilante justice. However, what really shocked me was that I didn't see this series of events as something that was completely unbelievable. Based on all the previous incidents of violence in America and based on media stories I've read, I've almost expected some sort of event like this to happen. Especially now, violent behaviors and events seem to be growing more and more commonplace, although this might also be a result of America being relatively peaceful in the decade after 9/11. I'm also not sure if I should be happy or scared that the FBI was able to unfoil this terrorist plot. It's great that the FBI was able to stop this incident before the terrorists were able to carry out their ploy, but it's also scary that the FBI was able to infiltrate some random group in Michigan.
Similar to Kaitlyn and Shinyi, when I heard about this kidnapping plot I was shocked. The story almost seemed almost too absurd to be real. The idea of kidnapping a Governor and then "place her on trial for 'treason,'" as Pritish explained is not a headline that would be often associated with American government. While there is a lot of tension that defines American politics, I believe that more often or not disagreements are dealt in ways that are mature and civil, even if the media does not always portray it that way.
I wonder what the outcome of this event would've been had the FBI not effectively intervened in the plans. How would revealing the lack of security that surrounds our leaders devalue the credibility of our entire governing institution?
I think that Pritish brought up a good counterargument in referencing the Declaration of Independence's establishment of the right to "alter or to abolish" and "institute new Government” if the government no longer works on behalf of the people, however, I don't think kidnapping and potentially sending the country into chaos is the right move for a group that wants to influence a government. I think past, aggressive attacks have proven that they will only bring more divide and conflict.
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