THE far-right militia group who planned to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer were planning for a civil war, the FBI have said.
The Wolverine Watchmen have been preparing for the "boogaloo", a term used in the militia movement for an uprising against the government or impending civil war, say prosecutors.
Whitmer has become the focus of anger for her strict enforcement of Michigan’s stay at home and lockdown measures.
Thirteen men – including seven associated with the militia – have now been arrested on charges of conspiring to kidnap the Michigan governor.
Social media accounts belonging to several them incite a “civil war” were a hive of pro-Trump, pro-gun, anti-government conspiracy theories.
According to the FBI the men planned to then move Whitmer to a secure location in Wisconsin and put her on trial.
Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, Brandon Casert and Ty Garbin – from Michigan and Delaware – have been charged with plotting the kidnap.
Another seven – Paul Bellar, Shawn Fix, Eric Molitor, Michael Null, William Null, Pete Musico and Joseph Morrison face charges of terrorism and gang-related offences in state court in connection with the alleged abduction plot.
Musico, 42, the alleged founder of the militia group has posted a series of anti-government videos on YouTube, including railing against having to wear a seatbelt.
“When are you going to see they are taking our money from us? They are robbing us, wanting us to be like Venezuela?,” he said
Caserta posted photos of himself rapidly loading a rifle, wearing a 'F*** the government' shirt.
He urged followers to “wake the f**k up” and warned “the price of freedom is eternal vigilance”, in a series of videos.
Prosecutors said the conspirators planned to recruit 200 supporters to storm the state capitol building in Lansing and take hostages – but later switched to a plan to kidnap Whitmer at her vacation home.
Fox said that he was going after Whitmer at the home.
"Snatch and grab, man. Grab the f**kin’ Governor. Just grab the b***h," he said.
The FBI said surveillance for the kidnapping plot took place in August and September.
An undercover law enforcement source attended a meeting in Ohio where a group of Michigan-based militia members discussed overthrowing state governments.
They met basement that was accessed by a trapdoor hidden under a rug, the FBI says.
Their phones were gathered and placed in another room to avoid secret recordings but the undercover agent was wearing a separate recording device.
Four of the men had planned to meet Wednesday to make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear.
Fox, who was described as one of the leaders, was living in the basement of a vacuum shop in Grand Rapids and the owner says he kept firearms and ammunition there.
After the kidnap plot was foiled, Whitmer accused Trump of fomenting political extremism.
“When our leaders meet with, encourage and fraternize with domestic terrorists they legitimize their actions, and they are complicit," she said.
Trump hit back on Twitter saying the governor "has done a terrible job".
"My Justice Department and Federal Law Enforcement announced … today that they foiled a dangerous plot against the Governor of Michigan. Rather than say thank you, she calls me a White Supremacist," Trump wrote.
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