Trump Attacks Whitmer After She Connects His Words To Plot

MICHIGAN — President Donald Trump Thursday was critical of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after federal authorities said they foiled a plan to kidnap and potentially kill her.

The president said Whitmer has done a "terrible job" as governor amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and said that "Rather than say thank you, she calls me a White Supremacist."

"Governor Whitmer of Michigan has done a terrible job. She locked down her state for everyone, except her husband’s boating activities," Trump said in a series of tweets. "The Federal Government provided tremendous help to the Great People of Michigan. 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—while Biden and Democrats refuse to condemn Antifa, Anarchists, Looters and Mobs that burn down Democrat run cities...

"...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! Governor Whitmer—open up your state, open up your schools, and open up your churches!"

Read More: Michigan Militia Members Accused In Plot To Kidnap, Kill Whitmer

Almost immediately after Trump's series of tweets, Whitmer responded in similar fashion.

"Mr. President, I thought you weren’t interested in a virtual debate?" she said, referring to Trump's recent decision not to have a debate with Biden because officials wanted to host the debate virtually amid Trump's recent COVID-19 diagnosis.

Officials announced that 13 people had been indicted in the plot against Whitmer as of Thursday, including residents from across the state.

Authorities became aware of the conspiracy in early 2020, and gathered more information through informants, officials said Thursday.

Group members said they wanted to form to follow the U.S. Bill of Rights and live where they could be self-sufficient, according to federal documents.

The group gathered at various times and training with guns and performed tactical drills, according to the documents.

Plans included kidnapping the governor from her vacation home, going to her home to "cap her" and even storming the Capitol building with 200 men and taking hostages, documents show.

Read More: Whitmer Cites Trump While Addressing Militia Kidnapping Plot

Speaking for the first time since the news of the plot broke Thursday, Whitmer seemed to connect Trump's words to the actions of the militia group. During Trump's debate with Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden, Trump told other white supremacist groups to "Stand back, and stand by."

"When our leaders speak, their words matter. They carry weight," she said. "When our leaders meet with, encourage or fraternize with domestic terrorists. They legitimize their actions, and they are complicit."

Read More: Michigan GOP, Dem Legislators React To Governor Kidnapping Plot