By Camila Acosta, Sports Editor
On Thursday, Oct. 8, six men were arrested by the FBI for being involved in a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The men acted with plans to overthrow not only Michigan's government but that of several other states which they believed were “violating the constitution.”
Although only six men were involved directly in the plan to kidnap the governor, another seven people with ties to the militia group named “Wolverine Watchmen” were involved in the plot against governors and officers in an effort to instigate a civil war. During the FBI investigation, at least four informants infiltrated the group and collected over 100 hours of recordings despite the group's many efforts to avoid surveillance.
The six men who contributed to the attempted kidnapping, Brandon Caserta, Daniel Harris, Kaleb Franks, Ty Garbin, Bary Croft, and Adam Fox, were arrested and are currently being charged with various felonies. Meanwhile the remaining seven, Joseph Morrison, Pete Musico, William Null, Micheal Null, Eric Molitor, Shawn Fix and Paul Bellar, are being charged with providing material support for these acts and carrying a firearm during the occurrence of a felony.
"When our leaders meet with, encourage, or fraternize with domestic terrorists, they legitimize their actions and they are complicit,” Governor Whitmer said in a broadcast message. “When they stoke and contribute to hate speech, they are complicit."
Whitmer went on to say that she is holding the president accountable for dividing the nation. After the news broke, many politicians became very vocal about their distaste with the divisive rhetoric used by the president.
“When Governor Whitmer worked to protect the people of her state from a deadly pandemic and saved countless lives, President Trump issued a call to ‘LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” Former Vice President and current Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden said. “That call was heard.”
In addition to the plans to kidnap Whitmer, the FBI reported that Virginia Governor Ralph Northam was also included in the militia’s kidnapping plot when discussing possible targets. However, it is unclear whether the men will face charges in account for Northam as well.
The investigation is ongoing.
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