Three of the men charged in the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took part in demonstrations earlier this year against lockdown measures she instituted to combat the coronavirus pandemic, The Washington Post reported on Sunday.
The newspaper analyzed videos and photos of the demonstrations and discovered that three of the 13 men charged were at an April protest inside the state Capitol building carrying long guns, while several others charged in the case were active in other demonstrations.
The plot was foiled by federal law enforcement last month after authorities said the men staked out Whitmer’s residence and met several times to work out their plans to kidnap her and take her to a remote location in another state to "stand trial" for what they claimed was her crimes.
President Donald Trump has constantly criticized Whitmer and other Democratic governors for lockdown measures they ordered, including a tweet in which he urged citizens to “liberate Michigan,” The Hill reported.
Whitmer said the president has fanned the flames of division across the country that helped lead to the plot to kidnap her.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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