Headline RoundupOctober 8th, 2020

Six Charged in Plot to Kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer

Violence In America, Life During Covid-19, Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan, FBI, Terrorism

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Six people have been charged in federal court with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the FBI announced Thursday. The group allegedly plotted for several months to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home in retaliation to the governor's COVID-19 coronavirus lockdown restrictions. Separately, seven people were charged in Michigan state court for allegedly planning to attack law enforcement personnel and violently overthrow the state government. Coverage on all sides focused on Whitmer's apparent blaming of President Donald Trump for complicity in the plot against her; Whitmer said violent extremists took Trump's controversial comments about far-right groups at last week's debate "as a rallying cry. As a call to action." Some coverage from left-rated sources framed the president's past condemnation of Whitmer's purportedly oppressive lockdown measures as a motivating factor for the plans to kidnap her. Some reports from center- and right-rated outlets noted that there was no evidence either plot was directly inspired by Trump.

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From the Right

Whitmer Links Trump’s Rhetoric To Plot by Militia Group To Kidnap Her

Independent Journal Review

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Independent Journal Review

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Federal law enforcement officials announced they foiled a plot to kidnap the governor of Michigan and start a civil war just weeks before the presidential election.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) says she could never imagine that militia groups would plot to kidnap her. She also said she believes the militia group members were encouraged by the country’s chief executive.

On Thursday afternoon, Whitmer blasted President Donald Trump and accused him of “giving comfort to those who spread fear and hatred and division.”

“Just last week, the President of...

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From the Left

The FBI Said It Busted A Domestic Terror Plot To Kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

BuzzFeed News

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BuzzFeed News

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The FBI announced Thursday that investigators had thwarted a plot by a right-wing militant group to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at her vacation home, before the Nov. 3 election.

The affidavit, filed under seal in federal court on Tuesday but unsealed on Thursday, names six men — Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta — to be charged over the kidnapping plot. The men were arrested on Wednesday.

"Snatch and grab, man. Grab the fuckin' Governor. Just grab the bitch," Fox allegedly told...

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From the Left

13 charged in plots against Michigan governor, police

Associated Press

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Agents foiled a stunning plot to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, authorities said Thursday in announcing charges in an alleged scheme that involved months of planning and even rehearsals to snatch her from her vacation home.

Six men were charged in federal court with conspiring to kidnap the governor in reaction to what they viewed as her “uncontrolled power,” according to a federal complaint. Separately, seven others linked to a paramilitary group called the Wolverine Watchmen were charged in state court for allegedly seeking to storm the Michigan Capitol...

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