'Without Accountability, Extremists Will Be Emboldened': Gov. Office

MICHIGAN — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office released a statement Friday afternoon after a jury did not find any of the four men who prosecutors said plotted to kidnap her guilty.

"Today, Michiganders and Americans—especially our children—are living through the normalization of political violence," the statement said. "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. There must be accountability and consequences for those who commit heinous crimes. Without accountability, extremists will be emboldened."

"The governor remains focused on her work on behalf of Michigan and all Michiganders," the statement added. "That includes addressing violence and threats to our democracy. We appreciate the prosecutors and law enforcement officers for their work on this case."

Prosecutors filed ten charges, including a kidnapping conspiracy against all four men: Adam Fox, Barry Croft Jr., Brandon Caserta and Daniel Harris, after they accused the men of plotting to take Gov. Whitmer from her vacation home out of anger over her COVID-19 restrictions.

The jury found Harris and Caserta not guilty on all charges, and couldn't reach a verdict on the charges against Fox and Croft, resulting in a mistrial. Fox and Croft can be tried again.