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Video Emerges Showing Whitmer Kidnapping Plot Suspect Calling Trump an 'Enemy'

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A video has emerged online showing one of the men who was arrested on federal and state charges in connection with an alleged foiled plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor calling Trump an “enemy,” contradicting the narrative pushed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Democrats linking Trump to the plot.

The video that circulated on social media Thursday appeared to show Brandon Caserta expressing his anti-Trump and anti-government views.

“Trump is not your friend dude,” he said.

“It amazes me that people actually, like, believe that when he’s shown over and over and over again that he’s a tyrant. Every single person that works for government is your enemy, dude.”

Caserta is one of the 13 men who were charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping plot exposed by the FBI this week, NBC News reported.

The suspects were linked to two Michigan militia groups.

Six of the suspects, including Caserta, face federal charges and used encrypted messaging to communicate and conduct coordinated surveillance on the governor’s vacation home.

Do you think Whitmer angered these men with her response to the coronavirus pandemic?

Court documents show the FBI was aware of the activities and there did not seem to be an imminent threat posed to the Democratic governor.

Whitmer claimed on Thursday that Trump was “complicit” to plots like this one through his rhetoric, pointing to Trump’s debate performance.

“Just last week the president of the United States stood before the American people and refused to condemn white supremacists and hate groups like these two Michigan militia groups,” she said.

Whitmer said Trump’s words “stand back and stand by” were a “rallying cry” for the alleged kidnappers.

“Hate groups heard the president’s words not as a rebuke, but as a rallying cry, as a call to action,” she said.

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Biden also criticized Trump’s past remarks about Whitmer, saying the “words of a president matter,” according to NBC News.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany pushed back against Whitmer’s claims.

“President Trump has continually condemned white supremacists and all forms of hate,” she said.

“Governor Whitmer is sowing division by making these outlandish allegations. America stands united against hate and in support of our federal law enforcement who stopped this plot.”

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Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




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