The extensive investigation, court documents showed, relied on confidential informants, undercover agents, recorded conversations, text messages and social media, with federal agents detailing what it called a plan to violently overthrow the government, which included a conspiracy to kidnap the governor, take her to Wisconsin and put her on trial for "treason. The conspirators, the documents said, were frustrated and upset about many things, including the fact that during the pandemic, the state was controlling the opening of gyms.
They called Whitmer a "tyrant bh" and sought to train and recruit others into their ranks. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel took aim at the Wolverine Watchmen, saying there has been a "disturbing increase in anti-government rhetoric" and she condemned the reemergence of groups that embrace "extremist ideologies" and seek to seize on civil unrest to promote armed resistance. More than a dozen people, investigators said, met in Dublin, Ohio, and sought to form "a society that followed the U.
Bill of Rights and where they could be self-sufficient. State governments, they believed, were violating the U. They singled out Michigan and Whitmer. They talked about "murdering 'tyrants' or 'taking' a sitting governor.
Then, they met up with members of a militia group, which took the conversations to another level. More: Whitmer denounces hate groups, says President Trump is 'complicit'.
The Wolverine Watchmen was founded by Pete Musico, 42, and Joseph Morrison, 26, who lived together in Munith, Michigan, and are now each charged — among others — with a threat of terrorism, gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts, and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Throughout the summer, law enforcement said, the combined group decided they needed firearms and tactical training and homemade bombs to blow up police vehicles and men to storm the Capitol and take hostages.
Some news reports Thursday referred to the militia group as the Michigan Militia, which, according to Cooter, attempted to unite several separate groups in the state under one name in the s. That group was founded by Norman Olson of Alanson to resist perceived encroachment of constitutional rights. But in recent years, Cooter said, Michigan Militia has become a term for all militia groups in the state. With the election days away and a possible indeterminate or contested result, what can and should states do?
It is a bedrock of our civil law that the government—and only the government—is able to legally and legitimately use force in the maintenance of public safety. Every state has some kind of provision in its constitution that allows it to prohibit paramilitary activity that leads to intimidation, violence, and chaos.
Election intimidation is against the law. Contact us at letters time. By Richard Stengel. TIME Ideas hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. We welcome outside contributions. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors. Related Stories. America Needs to Get Back to Facts. Already a print subscriber? Go here to link your subscription.
Need help? Visit our Help Center. Science Technology Business U. Rio civil police and public prosecutors are booking five leaders of a militia gang into prison for extortion, illegal land occupation, bribery to public agents, and illegally carrying firearms, among other things.
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