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Wednesday 14 OctOber 2020
FBI: Groups also discussed kidnapping Virginia governor

By DAVID EGGERT and Earlier Tuesday, Northam's demned hate, and Trump
KATHLEEN FOODY spokeswoman, Alena Yar- tweeted: "I do not tolerate
Associated Press mosky, issued a statement ANY extreme violence."
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. in which she said the FBI In the Michigan case, au-
(AP) — Members of anti- alerted key members of thorities said the men were
government paramilitary Northam's security team trying to retaliate against
groups implicated in an al- throughout the course of Whitmer due to what they
leged plot to kidnap Michi- its investigation, but neither viewed as her "uncon-
gan's governor over mea- the governor nor members trolled power" during the
sures to slow the spread of his staff were informed, coronavirus pandemic.
of the coronavirus during as per security protocols for Some defendants con-
a fraught election year highly-classified informa- ducted coordinated sur-
also discussed abducting tion. She said the governor veillance of the Demo-
Virginia's governor, an FBI and his family were never cratic governor's vacation
agent testified Tuesday. believed to be in imminent home in northern Michigan
During a hearing in a Grand In a photo provided by the Michigan Office of the Governor, danger, and that there in August and Septem-
Rapids federal court to re- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a have been enhanced se- ber, according to a crimi-
view the evidence against speech in Lansing, Mich., Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. curity measures in place for nal complaint. Authorities
Adam Fox, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Associated Press them for quite a while. said four of the men had
Franks, Daniel Harris and June 6 meeting in Dublin, from "four or five" states at- "Here's the reality: Presi- planned to meet last week
Brandon Caserta, Magis- Ohio, during an investiga- tended that meeting, and dent Trump called upon to pay for explosives and
trate Judge Sally Berens tion of various anti-gov- the complaint noted that his supporters to "LIBERATE exchange tactical gear.
ordered Franks, Harris and ernment groups, leading Croft and Fox were among VIRGINIA" in April — just like Defense attorneys for sev-
Caserta to be held with- to the months-long case the roughly 15 people who Michigan. In fact, the Presi- eral of the men used their
out bond until the trial and in Michigan that relied on were there. "They discussed dent regularly encourages opportunity to question
said she's rule on the other confidential sources, un- possible targets, taking a violence against those Trask about the investiga-
men's bond requests on a dercover agents and clan- sitting governor, specifical- who disagree with him. tion to suggest that their
later date. A sixth defen- destine recordings to foil ly issues with the governor The rhetoric coming out of clients were "big talkers"
dant from Delaware, Barry the alleged kidnapping of Michigan and Virginia this White House has seri- who didn't intend to follow
Croft, was ordered Tuesday conspiracy, according to based on the lockdown ous and potentially dead- through with action.
to be transferred to Michi- the criminal complaint and orders," Trask said. He said ly consequences. It must During investigations of
gan to face the charges. Trask's testimony. the people at the meet- stop," Yarmosky said. paramilitary-type groups,
Berens' ruling came af- It was not immediately ing were unhappy with the President Donald Trump "you find a lot of people
ter a day-long hearing in clear whether talk of tar- governors' responses to the urged supporters to "LIBER- who talk about things, but
which FBI agent Richard geting Virginia's Demo- coronavirus pandemic. ATE" Michigan, Virginia and they're never a threat to
Trask revealed new details cratic governor, Ralph During a news conference Minnesota in a series of do anything. It's fairly com-
about investigators' use of Northam, went beyond the Tuesday, Northam said he tweets in April, encourag- mon in these groups?"
confidential informants, June meeting, and noth- wasn't going to discuss the ing protesters who turned Scott Graham, attorney
undercover agents and ing from the criminal com- alleged plot and stressed up at state Capitols to op- for Franks, asked Trask. "Big
encrypted communication plaint or Trask's testimony that he and his family feel pose restrictions aimed at talk between crackpots —
in the alleged plot aimed indicated that anyone safe with the security the minimizing the spread of you've seen that, haven't
at Michigan's Democratic had been charged with state police provide. the virus. you? People who talk a
governor, Gretchen Whit- plotting against Northam. "I'm continuing my work for Following the arrests last lot, brashly, boldly, but are
mer. Trask said members of the commonwealth as I week, the White House never going to do anything
The FBI discovered the anti-government groups would any other day." said the president has con- about that talk."q

Michelle Obama, LeBron James team

to help boost early voting

sor events in major U.S. critical," Mrs. Obama said of Democratic presiden-
cities starting next week Tuesday in a statement tial nominee Joe Biden in
to generate excitement to The Associated Press. a lengthy new video mes-
about voting early for the "It's now up to us to do ev- sage that was sharply criti-
Nov. 3 election. erything in our power to cal of Republican Presi-
Mrs. Obama's When We get our friends and family dent Donald Trump.
All Vote and James' More ready to vote early and In-person events are
Than A Vote are teaming safely together. We can't planned for Atlanta; Char-
to provide information, leave anyone behind." lotte, North Carolina; De-
transportation, food, mu- The former first lady is also troit; Los Angeles; Milwau-
In this Oct. 21, 2015, file photo, former first lady Michelle sic, personal protective launching a challenge to kee; Orlando, Florida; and
Obama speaks at the University of Akron as NBA star LeBron equipment and other sup- encourage more people Philadelphia. They will be
James listens in rear, in Akron, Ohio. port at early voting sites to vote before Nov. 3. Her held within walking dis-
Associated Press
around the country Oct. group also announced tance of early voting sites
18-31. more than $1 million in and include free food
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE ing with a similar group "Millions of Americans have grants and supplies to lo- from the nonprofit World
Associated Press founded by NBA star already cast their ballot cal partner organizations Central Kitchen, founded
WASHINGTON (AP) — A LeBron James and other and with only 21 days un- to host their own activities. by celebrity chef Jose An-
voter initiative led by Mi- prominent Black athletes til Election Day. Making Last week, Mrs. Obama re- dres, DoorDash and other
chelle Obama is partner- and entertainers to spon- your plan to vote early is peated her endorsement providers. q