Group Looking to Kidnap Governor Tied to ‘Boogaloo’ Movement

Last week, a dark and ominous piece of news flashed across our screens:  Political extremists were planning to kidnap the Governor of Michigan and overthrow the rest of the state government.

The story was a harrowing one, involving a plot to snatch Governor Gretchen Whitmer and detonate an explosive device under a nearby bridge to hamper and distract authorities in the process.  Whitmer had become a focus of national attention for Michigan’s strict COVID lockdown protocols that drew massive demonstrations to the state capitol, some involving armed “militias”.

The group responsible for this latest kidnapping plot has now been tied to one of these extremists groups. 

Several of the six men charged in federal court Thursday with a conspiracy to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have histories of anti-government organizing, as well as interest in countering what they saw as an “uprising” against President Donald Trump, according to their online profiles and comments.

In addition, several of the seven men facing separate state terrorism charges for their activity with a group called the Wolverine Watchmen also posted pro-Trump and anti-government content.

The men have not yet appeared in court or entered pleas.

A senior federal law enforcement official said federal agents found that the group of seven tied to the Wolverine Watchmen believes in the “boogaloo” movement, which is largely dedicated to eradicating the government and killing law enforcement officers. Their social media profiles showed connections to a wide variety of known anti-government groups.

The “Boogaloo” movement are right wing provocateurs who are openly advocating for a second American Civil War, and who have been deemed a dangerous, fringe group in the US political scene as of late.