Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is blasting President Donald Trump for refusing to denounce militia groups involved in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D).
“We’re grateful to the FBI and law enforcement who discovered these domestic terrorists and stopped them. And, make no mistake that’s who they are, domestic terrorists, flat terrorists, planning to blow up a bridge on American soil to threaten the lives of police officers,” Biden said.
He added, “To kidnap an elected leader and now we’re finding out the same thing was happening in Virginia. You know it’s the sort of behavior you might expect from ISIS and it should shock the conscience of every American. And the failure to condemn these folks is stunning.”
Watch his comments below:
Joe Biden, speaking at an event with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, calls the men who targeted her for kidnapping "domestic terrorists," and adds, "it's the sort of behavior you might expect from ISIS."
— American Journal News (@AmerJournalNews) October 16, 2020
Biden on Trump: "The failure to condemn these folks is stunning." pic.twitter.com/HJtEgt5UQv
Federal law enforcement officials announced last week six were arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow the Michigan state government and kidnap Whitmer, as IJR previously reported.
If convicted, the arrested suspects could face life in prison.
Whitmer linked Trump’s rhetoric to the militia group’s attempt to kidnap her, as IJR previously reported.
“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,” Whitmer said. “Stand back and stand by,’ he told them. ‘Stand back and stand by.’ Hate groups heard the President’s words not as a rebuke, but as a rallying cry. As a call to action.”
She continued, “When our leaders speak, their words matter. When they stoke and contribute to hate speech, they are complicit.”
Trump took to Twitter to respond to Whitmer.
“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 —while Biden and Democrats refuse to condemn Antifa, Anarchists, Looters and Mobs that burn down Democrat run cities,” Trump said.
He went on, “I do not tolerate ANY extreme violence. Defending ALL Americans, even those who oppose and attack me, is what I will always do as your President!”
According to the FBI, the suspects accused of trying to kidnap Whitmer also considered whether they should shoot her in the head and abduct Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.
