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Whitmer Kidnap Case Collapses Following Acquittals, Mistrials As FBI’s Tactics Called Into Question

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In a case that involved an alleged plot against Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, two men were found not guilty and the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

Adam Fox and Brandon Caserta were each charged with kidnapping conspiracy. Harris and Caserta pled not guilty to the kidnapping conspiracy charge, while Fox and Croft were acquitted.

The kidnapping plot had allegedly been discussed at a meeting in Ohio around June of 2020, and plans were hatched straight through until October – just prior to the elections – when six of the men were first arrested.

Fourteen individuals overall were arrested in the bizarre plot, with 13 pleading ‘not guilty.’

One man pleaded guilty and agreed to testify in favor of the other. He was sentenced for domestic terrorist acts and received a six-year and three month prison term.

RELATED: Whitmer Kidnap ‘Plot’ In Disarray After FBI’s Questionable Tactics, Agents Arrested

Whitmer Kidnap Case Fall apart

The New York Times describes the latest results of the Whitmer kidnap case as “a major blow to the Justice Department, which during the Biden administration has made domestic terrorism one of its top priorities in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.”

The Times notes the lawyers for the defendants had successfully argued the “supposed plot” had been “conceived and nudged ahead by a network of FBI agents and informants.”

“Issues with the actions of some FBI agents also loomed over the trial, though little of that was discussed explicitly in front of jurors,” they added.

Whitmer defendants claim they were victims in the Whitmer case. They claimed that they were entrapped by an FBI investigation which was overzealous, and heavily compromised.

A shocking Buzzfeed report from late last year indicated the case was being “complicated” by an “array of issues” involving the FBI’s handling of the case.

“The case seemed like a lock,” they reported at the time, “until an informant and one FBI agent were charged with crimes, another was accused of perjury, and a third was found promoting a private security firm.”

RELATED : Ted Cruz Asks Top FBI Official If Agents Take Part in January 6 Riot

Plot Was Trump’s Fault

In the days leading up to the 2020 presidential election, the media used Gretchen Whitmer’s alleged plot for kidnapping to depict Trump supporters and Republicans in violent extremist terms.

Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, in an interview with CNN, said the plot was “very serious” and “dangerous.”

“I can tell you from my own experience having dealt with literally dozens and dozens of similar plots during my own time in the FBI that this plot has all of the hallmarks of a very serious, dangerous situation that we are all fortunate the FBI and partners have gotten in the middle of,” he said.

It seems they got a little too ‘in the middle of’ the supposed plot.

Whitmer also blamed former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric for inciting the plot against her.

“When our leader speaks, their words matter. These words carry weight. When our leaders meet with, encourage, or fraternize with domestic terrorists, they legitimize their actions, and they are complicit,” she said. “When they stoke and contribute to hate speech, they are complicit.”

Biden Points Finger At Trump

The time was also when President Biden pointed finger at Trump.

“White supremacists and these militias are a genuine threat. I’ve got to compliment the FBI and the police agencies for what they did and how they stepped up. But look, the words of a president matter,” Biden said.

Michigan investigative journalist Charlie LeDuff scoffed at the case against those who allegedly plotted to kidnap Whitmer, saying the claims “stunk” from the start.

“These guys were yakking off on Facebook, like we all do. This went too far, and the FBI notices it. They begin to lead these people down the correct path. I don’t know about the rest of the media, but I said this thing stunk,” LeDuff told Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

“Jury reads the same verdict,” he continued. “There’s a difference between mouthing off and then the feds walking you to a case.”

Carlson back in June of 2021 had alleged undercover agents with the FBI may have orchestrated a vast majority of the plot against Whitmer.

“In other words, nearly half the gang of kidnappers were working for the FBI,” he said.

Cruz asks Sanborn questions

Even though there’s no evidence of the FBI being involved during the Capitol riots, it is possible that this case and the apparent universal acceptance that the FBI attempted to trap defendants will rekindle interest.

It was just three months ago that FBI Executive Assistant Director of National Security Jill Sanborn repeatedly dodged questioning from Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) about whether or not agents from the bureau or confidential informants had participated in the January 6 riot.

Under questioning by Cruz as to the role of agents or informants in the riot, Sanborn repeatedly responded, “I can’t answer that.”

“How many FBI agents or confidential informants actively participated in the events of January 6th?” Cruz asked.

“Sir, I’m sure you can appreciate that I can’t go into the specifics of sources and methods –” Sanborn began before Cruz rephrased the question.

“I can’t answer that,” Sanborn replied.

“Did any FBI agents or confidential informants commit crimes of violence on January 6?” the Texas Republican continued to press.

“I can’t answer that,” Sanborn again responded.

Whitmer releases statement

After the trial in the kidnap case, Governor Whitmer made a statement. It was clear that she believed the kidnap plot resulted from extremist rhetoric.

“Today, Michiganders and Americans—especially our children—are living through the normalization of political violence,” she claimed.

“The plot to kidnap and kill a governor may seem like an anomaly. But we must be honest about what it really is: the result of violent, divisive rhetoric that is all too common across our country,” added Whitmer.

“Without accountability, extremists will be emboldened.”

Without accountability at the FBI, the extremists there will continue trying to entrap people with opposing political views – be it the right-wing or Muslims they have often accused of having links to terrorism after 9/11.

The Bureau is not under control. It is urgent that they investigate and expel any political-motivated extremists.