The kidnapping of a governor and a "civil war" could have been avoided, according to the FBI.

For months, 13 conspirators plotted a plan to kidnap Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a staunch opponent of Donald Trump, and start a "civil war."

The men linked to a far-right American group have been indicted after the FBI foiled their plot through informants and undercover agents. 

Six of the conspirators, considered "violent extremists" by West Michigan District Attorney Andrew Birge, had planned to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer before the Nov. 3 presidential election and then "try" her for "treason," according to the author. indictment made public Thursday. 

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- Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) October 8, 2020

Seven other men associated with the local "Wolverine Watchmen" group were also arrested and charged with planning "an operation to attack the Capitol building and kidnap government officials, including the governor," added the Minister of Justice. Michigan Justice, Dana Nessel.

These militiamen also "uttered threats of violence to provoke a civil war", explained Dana Nessel. 

The governor "bewildered"

The governor said she was shocked by the news.

"When I took the oath twenty-two months ago, I knew this job could be difficult. But to be honest, I had never imagined such a thing," responded Gretchen Whitmer at a conference. hurry. 

And she accused President Donald Trump of "legitimizing" the actions of "terrorists from within" by refusing in particular to condemn supporters of white supremacism last week, during her debate against Democratic candidate Joe Biden. 

On Twitter, the Republican president expressed no sympathy for Gretchen Whitmer.

"Rather than say thank you [for the FBI's action], she calls me a white supremacist," he complained.

"I do not tolerate ANY extreme violence. Defending ALL Americans, even those who oppose or attack me, is what I will always do as your president!", He added however. 

"Liberate Michigan" 

The investigation began at the beginning of the year when the federal police "learned on social networks that a group of individuals were talking about violently overthrowing certain components of the government and the police", according to the 'indictment. 

The six defendants, who were arrested, criticized the governor in particular for being a "tyrant" and for exercising "unchecked power".

Because Gretchen Whitmer had decreed in mid-March some of the most severe restrictions in the country to curb the coronavirus epidemic in her state in the northern United States, at the time one of the most affected by Covid-19 . 

She then became the regular target of attacks by Donald Trump, who had in a tweet called to "liberate Michigan".

Thousands of lockdown opponents, some heavily armed, have repeatedly demonstrated for the reopening of Michigan's economy.

At the end of April, armed demonstrators even entered the Capitol, the seat of state government, to demand the relaxation of health measures. 

With AFP

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