U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin called the plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer “terrorism.”
“I am deeply disturbed to hear of the plot, conducted in part in my own district, to kidnap our governor and commit violence against law enforcement” Slotkin said in a release. “I’m so thankful to federal, state and local law enforcement for taking the threat seriously and getting to the perpetrators before they could act. If true, they are cowards and criminals and should be treated accordingly. Make no mistake: This is about as far from their proclaimed patriotism as one can get. This is terrorism.”
Slotkin said that in Michigan, as well as on the Homeland Security Committee on which she serves, law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been warning with increasing urgency about the threat of violent domestic extremism.
“Today’s arrests confirm again that they are right, and it should be a wake-up call to anyone who uses the same violent incitement as the accused, or refuses to speak out against it,” Slotkin said. “And, importantly, it shows that extreme rhetoric and stoking tensions have a very specific cost.
“Elected leaders in Michigan and Washington alike have encouraged and tolerated threats of violence and hate against those with whom they disagree. They have purposely stoked it in a misguided attempt to appease their alleged base. These same leaders should not now feign surprise that some extremists have turned such rhetoric into action.”
Slotkin said the leadership climate is set at the top, “starting with the Oval Office, and leaders have a moral responsibility to set the example for how we disagree without enabling hate and violence. Not just when something like today’s events happen, but every day. Even if they somehow think it imperils their next re-election.”
“I believe there is still a right and wrong. This plot is wrong. And it’s incumbent on all of us to stand up to oppose this behavior, and these growing threats.”
