Plot to kidnap Michigan governor busted; she rebukes Trump, he hits back

Michigan : Thirteen men, seven of them associated with an anti-government militia group called the Wolverine Watchmen, have been arrested on charges of conspiring to kidnap the Michigan governor, attack the state legislature and threaten law enforcement, prosecutors said on Thursday.

The suspects were planning to kidnap the governor who had clashed publicly with Republican President Donald Trump over state coronavirus restrictions. This comes days before the United States is set for the Presidential polls.

Prosecutors said the conspirators discussed recruiting a force of 200 supporters to storm the state capitol building in Lansing and take hostages, but later switched to a plan to kidnap Whitmer at her vacation home.

Addressing press over the incident, the governor Whitmer accused Trump of fomenting political extremism.

"When our leaders meet with, encourage and fraternize with domestic terrorists they legitimize their actions, and they are complicit," Whitmer said.

Donald Trump was quick to respond and slammed the governor on Twitter.

"My Justice Department and Federal Law Enforcement announced ... today that they foiled a dangerous plot against the Governor of Michigan. Rather than say thank you, she calls me a White Supremacist," Trump wrote.