LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer is reacting to the news of the 13 men who were arrested for allegedly creating a plan to overthrow the government and kidnap her.
The governor began her statement Thursday afternoon saying, “When I put my hand on the Bible and took the oath of office 22 months ago, I knew this job would be hard, but I’ll be honest, I never could’ve imaged anything like this.”
She thanked the “fearless” FBI agents, Michigan State Police troopers, and Attorney General Dana Nessel for their hard work in arresting the men accused of plotting the attack. She called them “sick and depraved” and said she hopes the criminal charges will lead to convictions.
“2020 has been a hard year for all of us,” Whitmer said, “… But here’s what I know, we’re Michiganders, we have grit, we have heart, and we are tough as hell.”
The governor brought the press conference back to the coronavirus pandemic saying, “We are not one another’s enemy, this virus is our enemy.”
Whitmer also called out President Trump saying that he has spent the past seven months “denying science” and “ignoring his own health experts.” She touched on the president’s response on if he would condemn white supremacists. She said these hate groups hear Trump’s words as a “rallying cry” and a “call to action.”
Attorney General Nessel said the seven people she announced state-level charges against were known to be members of the “Wolverine Watchmen” militia group or associates of the group.
The governor added, “Hatred, bigotry, and violence have no place in the great state of Michigan.” She ended her statement by saying, “You don’t have to agree with me, but I do ask one thing, never forget that we are all in this together. Show a little more kindness and a lot more empathy.”
