Prosecutors charged 13 people arrested on charges of attempting to kidnap the US governor of Michigan and overthrow the state government, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer said that President Donald Trump's refusal to condemn racist groups encourages such actions.
At midnight last night, charges were brought against 13 people, including 6 that the Western District Attorney's office in Michigan said had planned to kidnap Whitmer.
And Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that 7 of the detainees have been charged under the state's anti-terrorism law, and said that they belong to an armed militia called "Wolverine Watchmen."
The public prosecutor explained that the detainees are suspected of trying to find home addresses of law enforcement officers to target them, and they had the intention of inciting civil war, and they were also involved in planning and training to carry out an attack on the state Congress building, and kidnapping government officials, including the governor.
And the FBI had previously announced that the plot to kidnap the governor had been foiled, and investigations revealed that militia members used encrypted communications networks, and monitored the governor's house during the months of August and September, and planned to kidnap her before the presidential elections are held on the third of November. And tried for treason and violating the US Constitution.
According to the FBI records, last June, one of the defendants complained about the state governor's refusal to reopen sports clubs, referring to the strict measures taken by local authorities to combat the Corona virus.
The Attorney General for the Western District of Michigan Andrew Brig said that 6 of the defendants could face life in prison if convicted of attempting to kidnap Whitmer.
At a news conference, Whitmer - a Democrat - strongly criticized President Trump, saying that his refusal to condemn groups that believe in white supremacy encouraged such actions.
Whitmer added that the president should have acted in a humane manner and contacted her to ensure her safety and that of her family, as did the Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden, considering that the issue shows the qualities of the competitors to lead the country during the next four years.