Expert: Militias shift focus to states since Trump

An analyst with the Anti-Defamation League Center on Extremism says the 13 people charged in plots against the Michigan governor and police is the largest militia group-related arrest since 2011.

Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow, says that's when several people were arrested on murder and other charges related to a militia group in Georgia.

Michigan authorities announced Thursday that agents foiled a stunning plot to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

They announced charges in an alleged scheme that involved months of planning and even rehearsals to snatch her from her vacation home.

Six men were charged in federal court with conspiring to kidnap the governor in reaction to what they viewed as her "uncontrolled power," according to a federal complaint.

Separately, seven others were charged in state court under Michigan's anti-terrorism laws for allegedly targeting police and seeking a "civil war."

A few hours later, Whitmer pinned some blame on President Donald Trump, noting that he did not condemn white supremacists in last week's debate with Joe Biden and instead told a far-right group to "stand back and stand by."

Pitcavage says that it's no coincidence militia groups have focused more on state governments in recent years.

"Traditionally, the anti-government anger of the militia movement has been directed at the federal government," he said. "But because the militia movement came out in support of Donald Trump, it's very difficult to be so angry at the federal government if someone you love is at the head of it."

The six men charged in federal court plotted for months, consulting and training with members of a group that federal authorities described as a militia, and undertaking rehearsals in August and September, according to an FBI affidavit.

They were arrested Wednesday night and face up to life in prison if convicted.

Four had planned Wednesday to meet to "make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear," the FBI said in the court filing.

The FBI quoted one of the accused as saying Whitmer "has no checks and balances at all. She has uncontrolled power right now. All good things must come to an end."

Andrew Birge, the U.S. attorney in western Michigan, called the men "violent extremists."