Michigan Gov. Whitmer: Trump provided 'rallying cry' to hate groups as kidnapping plot thwarted

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer accused President Trump on Thursday of providing a “rallying cry” to hate groups after the FBI uncovered a plot by individuals connected to an anti-government militia to abduct her ahead of the presidential election.

In her first public comments on the plot, Whitmer thanked the FBI, Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel and state police for “bringing these sick and depraved men to justice.” She argued that Trump has provided tacit support to radical groups by refusing to condemn white supremacy, referencing the president’s comment during last week’s debate that the Proud Boys, a far-right group unaffiliated with the kidnapping plot, should ‘stand back and stand by.’”

FBI UNCOVERS ARMED MILITIA PLOT TO ABDUCT MICHIGAN GOV. WHITMER

“Just last week, the president of the United States stood before the American people and refused to condemn white supremacists and hate groups like these two Michigan militia groups,” Whitmer said at a press conference. “‘Stand back and stand by,” he told them. Stand back and stand by. Hate groups heard the president’s words not as a rebuke but as a rallying cry, as a call to action.”

“When our leaders speak, their words matter. They carry weight. When our leaders meet with, encourage and fraternize with domestic terrorists, they legitimize their actions and they are complicit. When they stoke and contribute to hate speech, they are complicit,” the Michigan governor added.

A total of 13 men face federal and state charges in connection to the plot to allegedly target Whitmer, local police and the state Capitol. The FBI said the six men charged in federal court had spent months planning and rehearsing a kidnapping in response to Whitmer’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Authorities released mug shots for five of the six individuals being held on federal charges in connection to the kidnapping plot.

The six men had consulted and trained with a militia group and conducted rehearsals for the kidnapping as recently as last month, according to an FBI affidavit. Four of the individuals had planned to acquire explosives.

One of the men said Whitmer had “no checks and balances at all” and “uncontrolled power” in Michigan, according to the FBI.

“Let me say this loud and clear: hatred, bigotry and violence have no place in the great state of Michigan,” Whitmer added. “If you break the law and conspire to commit heinous acts of violence against anyone, we will find you, we will hold you accountable and we will bring you to justice.”

The president on Thursday evening fired back at Whitmer, saying she "has done a terrible job" as governor and blasting her for not thanking him -- and the FBI -- for thwarting the kidnapping plot.

"The Federal Government provided tremendous help to the Great People of Michigan," Trump said in a series of tweets. "Rather than say thank you, she calls me a White Supremacist—while [Democratic presidential nominee Joe] Biden and Democrats refuse to condemn Antifa, Anarchists, Looters and Mobs that burn down Democrat run cities."

Trump faced widespread criticism over his "stand down and stand by" remark following the debate. The president clarified his remarks during an appearance on Fox News Channel last week.

"Let me be clear again: I condemn the KKK. I condemn all white supremacists. I condemn the Proud Boys. I don't know much about the Proud Boys, almost nothing, but I condemn that," Trump told Fox News anchor Sean Hannity.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended Trump in a response to Whitmer's remarks, stating the president "has continually condemned white supremacists and all forms of hate."

“Gov. Whitmer is sowing division by making these outlandish allegations,” McEnany said. “America stands united against hate and in support of our federal law enforcement who stopped this plot.”

Trump added on to his press secretary's statement, saying in his tweet thread that he condemns any form of violence.

"I do not tolerate ANY extreme violence. Defending ALL Americans, even those who oppose and attack me, is what I will always do as your President!" he said.

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Whitmer, a Democrat, has enacted strict lockdown measures during the coronavirus pandemic. Local Democrats have praised the measures as a necessary step to protect state residents, while critics, including Trump, have argued her plan was too restrictive and infringed on individual freedoms and the state economy.

The Michigan governor said she has made “tough choices to keep our state safe” and expressed sympathy for losses suffered by local residents and businesses.

“These have been gut-wrenching decisions no governor has ever had to make. And I get it – life has been hard for us all,” Whitmer said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This story has been updated.