FBI reveals elaborate plot by Michigan militia members to kidnap Whitmer

[Brian4Liberty]

FBI reveals elaborate plot by Michigan militia members to kidnap Whitmer

Michigan-based militia members plotted extensively to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at her vacation home before the Nov. 3 presidential election, stockpiling weapons and explosives and twice staking out her residence, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed Thursday that described probable cause to charge six alleged conspirators.

The FBI, relying on confidential sources who recorded conversations and informed on the plot, became aware of the effort through social media chatter early this year and developed detailed insight on the purported plan over the ensuing months.

The FBI had already suspected the militia of plotting to kill police officers, and a member of the group concerned about that plan had agreed to become an FBI source, according to the affidavit.

The plan to kidnap Whitmer was hatched in the basement of a Grand Rapids business in June, according to the FBI filing.

"The attendees discussed plans for assaulting the Michigan State Capitol, countering law enforcement first responders, and using 'Molotov cocktails' to destroy police vehicles," the affidavit indicates. "The attendees also discussed plans for an additional meeting during the first weekend of July when they also would conduct firearms and tactical training."

The plot ultimately evolved into one in which the conspirators would storm her vacation home, blowing up a nearby bridge and grabbing Whitmer, if not killing her outright, the FBI indicated, citing recordings and internal communications it obtained from the alleged conspirators.
...
Some of the alleged plotters were part of a group that initially met to discuss "creating a society that followed the U.S. Bill of Rights and where they could be self-sufficient."

"They discussed different ways of achieving this goal from peaceful endeavors to violent actions," per the FBI affidavit. "At one point, several members talked about state governments they believed were violating the U.S. Constitution, including the government of Michigan and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Several members talked about murdering 'tyrants' or 'taking' a sitting governor. The group decided they needed to increase their numbers and encouraged each other to talk to their neighbors and spread their message."

The FBI says it has probable cause to charge six of the plotters: Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta. All of the men live in Michigan with the exception of Croft, a Delaware resident.
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Michigan's attorney general, Dana Nessel, said during an afternoon press conference that she intends to issue additional charges under Michigan's anti-terrorism statute against seven members of the militia group, dubbed the "Wolverine Watchmen."
...
More: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/1...ichigan-427953

[Brian4Liberty]

https://twitter.com/USAB4L/status/1314261101689942018

[phill4paul]

The group decided they needed to increase their numbers and encouraged each other to talk to their neighbors and spread their message."

That might have been a problem in their planning.

[69360]

Sounds familiar. The usual story in these cases is that the FBI had an agent inside and set them up. Most of these militia types aren't the best and brightest when it comes to spotting a set up. Don't trust anyone.

[Brian4Liberty]

Sounds familiar. The usual story in these cases is that the FBI had an agent inside and set them up. Most of these militia types aren't the best and brightest when it comes to spotting a set up. Don't trust anyone.

Timeline seems to be that they were reported "early in 2020", but the plans for kidnapping did not happen until months later.

The FBI became aware early in 2020, through social media, that a militia group was "discussing the violent overthrow of certain government and law enforcement components" and "agreed to take violent action," according to a sworn affidavit.
...
Members of a militia group purchased weapons, conducted surveillance and held training and planning meetings, but they were foiled in part because the FBI infiltrated the group with informants, according to a criminal complaint.
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The FBI used confidential informants as part of the investigation and paid one of them more than $14,000, according to the affidavit.
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A meeting June 20 in the basement of Fox's business in Grand Rapids was accessed "through a trap door hidden under a rug on the main floor," according to the affidavit. Fox collected all of the attendees' cellphones in a box and carried them upstairs to prevent any monitoring, according to the affidavit, but an FBI informant was wearing a hidden recording device. At that meeting, participants discussed plans to attack the Capitol, using "Molotov cocktails" against police, the affidavit alleges.
...
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...er/5923650002/

[Brian4Liberty]

That might have been a problem in their planning.

The glaring part of this investigation is that the charges talk a lot about planning, training, equipment and fighting the police (including with Molotov cocktails). These are all things that Antifa plan and actually execute, but there is no such investigation of Antifa.

One could reasonably hypothesize that this is a politically motivated investigation, meant to effect the election and further the narrative of white militias being a massive threat. Kind of like Russia-Gate.

[69360]

Timeline seems to be that they were reported "early in 2020", but the plans for kidnapping did not happen until months later.

Right, I think you will find that most of these "plots" never would have progressed beyond some drunk idiots talking nonsense if the FBI didn't set them up.

[oyarde]

What were they going to do with stretchin' Gretchen once they got her ?

[phill4paul]

The glaring part of this investigation is that the charges talk a lot about planning, training, equipment and fighting the police (including with Molotov cocktails). These are all things that Antifa plan and actually execute, but there is no such investigation of Antifa.

One could reasonably hypothesize that this is a politically motivated investigation, meant to effect the election and further the narrative of white militias being a massive threat. Kind of like Russia-Gate.

Nothing is off the table when the government brainstorms scenarios. Including scenarios involving killing American citizens and blame being put on Cubans. But, can't have citizens thinking in this way. It would be too irresponsible not to thought crime them.

[DiverseSegregation]

What kind of charges have been filed against the Ted Wheeler activists?

[sam1952]

The glaring part of this investigation is that the charges talk a lot about planning, training, equipment and fighting the police (including with Molotov cocktails). These are all things that Antifa plan and actually execute, but there is no such investigation of Antifa.

One could reasonably hypothesize that this is a politically motivated investigation, meant to effect the election and further the narrative of white militias being a massive threat. Kind of like Russia-Gate.

A reasonable hypothesis....

[Anti Globalist]

What were they going to do with stretchin' Gretchen once they got her ?

They probably would have tortured her and let her know how much of a piece of $#@! commie she is.

[olehounddog]

How convenient. Logistics don't add up. Recruit 200 people, plan, train, housing, weapons, and a lot more. And by the end of the year.

[Dary]

In her news conference she blamed Trump for not denouncing white supremacists.

[pcosmar]

Sounds familiar. The usual story in these cases is that the FBI had an agent inside and set them up. Most of these militia types aren't the best and brightest when it comes to spotting a set up. Don't trust anyone.

The Michigan Militia was proven and shown to be a Fed infested organization..

They Deliberately set up and aided Feds in the Hutaree arrest.. It is long past any legitimate Defensive Militia.
https://www.thenewsherald.com/news/m...6c88322c5.html

DETROIT — Seven members of the Michigan Hutaree militia group were acquitted by a federal judge of plotting war on the government, according to media reports.

Federal Judge Victoria Roberts ruled five days after closing arguments that circumstantial evidence led her to conclude “something fishy was going on.” She ruled that it did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the group was ready to oppose the government,

[BSWPaulsen]

The stupid stacked on top of stupid that constituted their "plan" (blowing up a bridge?!) makes it likely this is the FBI justifying their existence, creating a victim narrative around a tyrant, and feeding into the "white supremacy/militias" crap they are trying to tag Trump with this election.

The mere idea they were trying to pull additional people in for this "plot" singularly discredits their intention of actually doing anything. If a very small group of people set their mind to getting something like this done, then nobody would know about it until it actually happened.

The FBI is, as usual, thoroughly useless and should be disbanded.

[A Son of Liberty]

Meanwhile, Antifa is "mostly peaceful".



I'm looking forward* to the above being ignored by the Chris Cuomo's and Don Lemon's of the world, as they'll be too busy huffing and puffing about a "plan".



*I'm actually not looking forward to it. In fact, I won't be looking at it at all. I'll just be over here stacking soft metals and minding my business... as long as others mind theirs.

[69360]

The Michigan Militia was proven and shown to be a Fed infested organization..

They Deliberately set up and aided Feds in the Hutaree arrest.. It is long past any legitimate Defensive Militia.
https://www.thenewsherald.com/news/m...6c88322c5.html

Randy Weaver was set up by the feds on the firearms charge that led to Ruby Ridge. This stuff has been going on forever.

[Anti Federalist]

Randy Weaver was set up by the feds on the firearms charge that led to Ruby Ridge. This stuff has been going on forever.

Yes it has, and because it has, it should be dismissed out of hand until confirmed by some sort of independent source.

But AmeriKunts have the attention span of gnats...they can not recall what they had for breakfast, let alone why an obscure FBI action 30 years ago has any bearing on why these horrible racist vipers were smashed today.

That's all they will remember tomorrow: Evil right wing racists busted in plot to kidnap Stretchen Gretchen.

[Dr.3D]

What were they going to do with stretchin' Gretchen once they got her ?

Prolly tell her, just because she kept getting 6" up the butt in high school, it doesn't mean she's a ruler.

[devil21]

This strikes me as sending out a wide warning to people, ahead of the second wave lockdowns that will be implemented soon. Lots of anger will be directed at Governors that institute them, especially the dictatorial ones like Whitmer.

The nuts and bolts are likely the usual recruitment by the FBI of dumb patsies that don't understand opsec. Will this finally wake up the Trumpkins who still think the DOJ is secretly on their side? Doubtful. "Trust Sessions" lol

[dannno]

Man behind alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer called Trump a tyrant and enemy too. Of course the media is reporting he’s a Trump supporter. More lies.

https://twitter.com/MarkDice/status/1314347188399435776

[kahless]

This strikes me as sending out a wide warning to people, ahead of the second wave lockdowns that will be implemented soon. Lots of anger will be directed at Governors that institute them, especially the dictatorial ones like Whitmer.

The nuts and bolts are likely the usual recruitment by the FBI of dumb patsies that don't understand opsec. Will this finally wake up the Trumpkins who still think the DOJ is secretly on their side? Doubtful. "Trust Sessions" lol

Exactly. Not surprised they needed a deterrent considered what is coming again.

[Anti Federalist]

Some of the alleged plotters were part of a group that initially met to discuss "creating a society that followed the U.S. Bill of Rights and where they could be self-sufficient."

Oh, the horror...

[oyarde]

Yes it has, and because it has, it should be dismissed out of hand until confirmed by some sort of independent source.

But AmeriKunts have the attention span of gnats...they can not recall what they had for breakfast, let alone why an obscure FBI action 30 years ago has any bearing on why these horrible racist vipers were smashed today.

That's all they will remember tomorrow: Evil right wing racists busted in plot to kidnap Stretchen Gretchen.

Ya , this is ridiculous . Id be surprised if any of it is true . Only thing might be true is excessively pd by tax dollars FBI informants plotted .

[tod evans]

https://twitter.com/MarkDice/status/1314347188399435776

He has Ho-Mo handles in his ears too!

Definitely a conservative.

[Brian4Liberty]

RussiaGate, Part Deux...

https://twitter.com/MSNBC/status/1314380333400367105

[Brian4Liberty]

https://twitter.com/MarkDice/status/1314347188399435776

Dude...

https://twitter.com/robbystarbuck/st...85414962925569

[eleganz]

Cassandra Fairbanks is claiming they're ancaps.

I haven't seen any evidence pointing them as ANTIFA or ancaps yet but I suppose its quite clear they're anarchists of some kind.

I want to say librotarian ancaps aren't this stupid and are supposed to be NAP but its giving too much credit to liBROtarians.

[Gumba of Liberty]

Milita Member: “Someone should kidnap that crazy bitch!”
FBI Informant: “I’ve got a truck full of M4s, Night Vision, Body Armor, Duck Tape, a Map to her Summer House, and $5000 in cash in case we need anything else. We doing this or what boys?!? ‘Merica!!”

It’s that easy gentlemen.