FBI says extremist threatened Trump, Obama in online posts

A man charged in an alleged conspiracy to kidnap Michigan's goverr also me threatening online comments about President Donald Trump, former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton apart from or prominent political figures, an FBI nt said in a federal court filing.

Barry Croft, a Delaware resident, railed against numerous present and former elected leers in private Facebook posts, special nt Kristopher Long said. Croft is one of six purported members of an extremist paramilitary group accused of scheming to kidnap Democratic Goverr Gretchen Whitmer because of her shutdown orders to control coronavirus.

Long described posts in an affidavit supporting a request for a warrant to search an account that Croft allegedly created September 2 and closed September 26. Associated Press obtained a copy of document Wednesday after Detroit News reported its contents.

It said one Facebook post in May showed an im of Trump with a caption reing, “True colours shining through, wanna hang this mf'er too!!! per cent” Ar post next day said, “I say we hang everything currently governing us, y're all guilty!! per cent And what a deterrent, Rope!!! per cent" Or profanity-laced posts spoke of hanging former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “for war crimes against humanity," affidavit said.

Ar asked, "Which Goverr is going to end up dragged off, and hung for treason first?” An exchange between Croft and an unidentified person referred to protests and “potential acts of violence" in South Carolina, including an apparent reference to Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, affidavit said.

“I'll be in Columbia, SC on Friday,” Croft allegedly wrote May 4. “y say y want ir Goverr in custody. ... I want to grab m all, and hold trial."

A photograph of a ose carried a caption calling for hanging Obama, "both Clinton's, Democrats, Liberals, Muslims” and ors including “Ihan Omar” and “A.O.C.,” apparent references to Democratic US Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez of New York, document said. Whitmer has repeatedly accused Trump of encouraging extremist behavior with his rhetoric.

In an interview with Associated Press this month, she said he h “given safe harbour to hate organisations and domestic terror organisations.” During a campaign visit Tuesday to Lansing, Michigan, Trump appeared to refer to alleged plot when he said, “It was our people that helped her out with her problem. I mean, we'll have to see if it's a problem. ... She blamed me, and it was our people that helped her. I don't get it." Croft, whom affidavit described as a long-haul truck driver, was ordered transferred to Michigan this month.

A federal judge in Grand Rapids, Michigan, ruled during an October 16 preliminary hearing re was eugh evidence against five or suspects in alleged kidnap conspiracy to send case to a grand jury for possible indictments. Eight men said to be members or associates of a paramilitary group called Wolverine Watchmen and are charged in state court with counts including providing material support for terrorist acts. Some are accused of taking part in alleged scheme against Whitmer. Defense attorneys have described suspects as “big talkers” who never intended to follow through with action. But investigators say some cased Whitmer's vacation home in rrn Michigan and agreed to buy explosives and tactical gear. 

(Im Credits: AP)