Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urged for the suspects behind the foiled kidnapping plot that allegedly targeted her to be called "domestic terrorists," likening the months-long plan to ISIS."It wasn't simply to kidnap. It was to put me on a trial or some sort and possibly execute me," she said on "The View" on Tuesday. "That's the kind of thing you expect to hear from a group like ISIS. That's why when people refer to them as militias, we have to call them out as what they are, domestic terrorists."Without mentioning President Donald Trump by name, she argued the motivations behind the allegedly deeply-violent scheme is an election issue, and that voters in November will have a choice between reelecting the incumbent who she says stokes violence, or a "deeply human" candidate like former Vice President Joe Biden."There are those who use their platforms to stoke and incite and give comfort to these groups. That's not acceptable," she said. "That's one of the things that's at stake in this election in three weeks. We have a choice between someone who has done that or someone who is a deeply human, kind person who reached out, a deeply decent person like Joe Biden."MORE: After foiled kidnapping plot, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says threats against her are 'ongoing'Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against six men in Michigan allegedly involved in a months-long plot to kidnap the Democratic governor and violently overthrow the state's government before November's election.The state capitol has been at the center of a number of protests by right-wing activists, some armed, in the weeks and months after Whitmer enforced a strict lockdown in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her far-reaching response to the coronavirus, when Michigan was one of the hardest hit states in the early months of the pandemic, drew criticism by state Republicans and protesters for being too restrictive.Her administration served as a counterpoint to the White House's fumbled response, landing Whitmer in President Trump's crosshairs, with the commander-in-chief calling her "that woman from Michigan."MORE: The alleged kidnapping plot against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, as told in photosDuring a press conference last week, a visibly angry Whitmer lashed out at Trump for "stoking" hate and called the suspects "sick and depraved men."The FBI said it first learned of the suspects' plot early this year and began embedding confidential sources and undercover agents to monitor their activities.Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta started planning to take Whitmer and others hostage at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, according to the criminal complaint, and planned to blow up a bridge and allegedly intended to hold Whitmer for a trial and then execute her. The men went to the governor's vacation home on two separate occasions in August and September to conduct surveillance, the complaint said.Investigators said several of the suspects were among those protesting the state's lockdown.
Source : abcnews.go.com
Source : abcnews.go.com