Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield is criticizing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for not warning legislators about the alleged plot to abduct the governor, kill police officers and attack the state Capitol in Lansing.
Chatfield, R-Levering, called out Whitmer in a series of tweets Saturday, Oct. 10, for failing to notify Capitol lawmakers who, according to the FBI, were also under threat by the state militia group known as the Wolverine Watchmen. He asked the governor to “cooperate more” with state legislators and “tone down partisan rhetoric.”
State and federal officials have charged 13 men with various offenses related to the alleged coup plotted against Whitmer, an elaborate scheme that involved months of planning and even rehearsals to kidnap the governor from her vacation home.
Seven of the suspects are facing charges on the state level, while the other six are federally charged.
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Whitmer knew of the kidnapping plot for weeks, she told CNN this week, adding that she couldn’t discuss many details about her security. The governor’s family was reportedly moved around for protection at times because of the severity of the threats, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has said.
But Chatfield said Whitmer and her family weren’t the only ones under threat by the alleged plot.
“Why weren’t we warned of the plot to take hostages at the Capitol?” Chatfield wrote in a tweet. “The plot by these terrorists was against us too. Why weren’t House sergeants warned? You knew and we weren’t even given a warning. We had people working in the building and their lives matter too.”
Zack Pohl, communications director for Whitmer, said in an email that Chatfield should bring his concerns to those who handled the investigation, instead of the governor.
“If the Speaker has concerns with this successful law enforcement operation, he should direct them to the FBI and President Trump’s Department of Justice, which was in command,” Pohl said in a prepared statement to MLive.
But Chatfield claimed Whitmer did have some authority to notify those who were threatened in the alleged plot.
“This was also an investigation by (Michigan State Police), which the Governor controls,” Chatfield tweeted. “Our law enforcement agencies weren’t notified. We were there nearly every day. That’s a problem.”
The FBI conducted a joint investigation with Michigan State Police that led to state terrorism charges filed against six of seven men tied to the kidnapping plot, according the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
In the series of seven tweets on Saturday, Chatfield said both Democrats and Republicans were threatened by the kidnapping plot and called for lawmakers across the aisle to come together.
“Others in the legislature have been threatened too,” he wrote. “We were targeted in these evil plots too. That’s why to overcome this, it will take a unified message and not political talking points or partisan finger pointing.”
“I’ve been critical of many of (the governor’s) decisions this year. I admit. It’s important we have these debates. It makes us stronger. It ensures all voices of our state are heard. But we need to do it the right way. Blanket blame is wrong. It divides and causes more partisan strife.”
Chatfield cited recent comments from Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist against President Donald Trump and Michigan Republican lawmakers as examples of “blanket blame.”
Whitmer this week said Trump’s rhetoric has served a “rallying cry” for extremist groups when he “refused to condemn white supremacists and hate groups like these two Michigan militia groups,” Whitmer said.
“When our leaders speak, their words matter. They carry weight,” Whitmer said. “When our leaders meet with, encourage, or fraternize with domestic terrorists, they legitimize their actions and they are complicit. When they stoke and contribute to hate speech, they are complicit.”
RELATED: ‘Words matter’ from leaders like President Trump, Gov. Whitmer says after kidnapping plot revealed
In a Friday morning appearance on CNN Newsroom, Gilchrist also raised concerns against Trump, who he said is spreading dangerous rhetoric.
“The plot that was thwarted shows you that groups will continue to answer the call of the president for violence and division,” Gilchrist said.
Chatfield chastised comments by Whitmer and Gilchrist and said “it’s time to tone the partisan rhetoric” down in his tweets.
The governor’s spokesperson told MLive Whitmer “won’t be distracted by the Speaker’s partisan attacks.”
“She remains focused on bringing Michiganders together to keep people safe and save lives,” Pohl wrote in an emailed statement. “We are not going to comment on an ongoing criminal investigation.”
More on MLive:
Accused Michigan terrorists found natural home among anti-Whitmer sentiment promoted by far right
Sheriff who shared stage with militia defends their rights but not alleged governor kidnapping plot
Michigan men charged in kidnapping plot trained with guns, explosives, neighbors say
Northern Michigan town grapples with plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer from local vacation home
Plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer prompts renewed calls to ban guns in Michigan Capitol building
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