Original article from: Huffington Post
A Michigan militia was plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat who has come under fire from President Donald Trump, according to the FBI.
Defendants Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, according to court documents. The domestic terrorism investigation involved both confidential informants and undercover employees who recorded conversations, texts, online chats and phone calls with the defendants.
LEFT VIEWPOINTS
Conservatives are hesitant to condemn far-right militias
- 13 people were charged from the “Wolverine Watchmen” militia – 6 for the plot to kidnap the governor & 7 for attempts to target law enforcement & start a civil war. Far-right, armed men aren’t patriots. They are domestic terrorists. They are a danger to Americans’ freedoms and American democracy.
- Conservatives are hesitant to condemn these groups. Fox News finally did a story on the attempted kidnapping of Gretchen Whitmer, and the removed the comments section for the story. Why? Fox News frequently removes the comments section for stories that will paint their viewers as part of the problem, which this certainly would.
- The FBI considers far-right militias to be domestic terrorists. Yet, the problem is getting worse because the Trump Administration gives these groups a sense of validation. During the Biden/Trump debate, Trump was asked to condemn white supremacists and alt-right groups like Proud Boys. Instead, Trump told them to “Stand back and stand by.” In April 2020, Trump tweeted, “LIBERATE MICHIGAN.”
- These “militias” essentially live in a fantasy where they imagine themselves to be protectors of the Constitution. Nothing could be further from reality. To protect the Constitution, we only need democracy and the freedom to trust the majority.
In this video, several members of the far-right group, Proud Boys, attack unarmed protestors.
In Bethel, Ohio, a protestor who is supporting Black Lives Matter is punched in the head while police watch.
Kyle Rittenhouse shot three people, killing two, following the Jacob Blake shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin. While he is claiming self-defense, there is no doubt the violence would never have occurred if armed, far-right groups did not interfere.
Far-right groups with guns aren’t a new phenomenon. This group, calling themselves Oath Keepers, showed up during the Ferguson riots in 2014. What is new is a President who is giving them credence.