Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her family were “moved around” as authorities tracked the men who were allegedly plotting to kidnap her, the state’s attorney general said Friday.
Dana Nessel said the Democratic governor was consistently updated about the investigation over the past couple of months.
“She was aware of things that were happening,” Nessel said on “CBS This Morning.” “At times, she and her family had been moved around as a result of activities that law enforcement was aware of.”
Authorities on Thursday announced they foiled the plot to abduct Whitmer over the coronavirus restrictions she had imposed on the state — a scheme that involved months of planning and even rehearsals.
In total, 13 men were arrested on federal and state charges related to the failed plot, which also involved storming the Michigan Capitol and attempting to spur a second civil war. Seven of them were linked to a shadowy militia group called the Wolverine Watchmen.
Four men allegedly surveilled Whitmer’s vacation home in August and September, according to an FBI affidavit, and planned to meet Wednesday to “make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear.”
“We thought it was time to move in before anybody lost their lives,” she said of the arrests Wednesday night.
On “Good Morning America” Friday, Whitmer declined to get into specifics of the case.
“I can’t go into too many details because of course that’s about my security, and that’s everything that’s at issue right now,” she said. “However, I can tell you that it came to my attention a number weeks ago, that my detail briefed me on it.”
The six charged in federal court face up to life in prison if convicted, while state terrorism charges against the other seven men carry a possible 20-year sentence.
In a second TV appearance, Whitmer doubled down on her claims that President Trump is fueling threats against her — as she referred to the group that plotted to kidnap her as a “domestic terror organization.”
“There is ongoing rhetoric,” she said on “GMA.”
“Even the president last night in his tweetstorm won’t stop attacking me, and I think that it’s creating a very dangerous situation — not just for me but for people in leadership roles who are trying to save lives all across this country.”
Trump on Thursday night blasted Whitmer on Twitter — after she first accused the president of influencing the scheme and refusing to “condemn white supremacists and hate groups.”
“Governor Whitmer of Michigan has done a terrible job. She locked down her state for everyone, except her husband’s boating activities,” Trump wrote. “I do not tolerate ANY extreme violence.”
