Domestic terrorism suspects who plotted to kidnap Whitmer shared plans in Facebook groups

According to the affidavit, at a June in-person meeting, members of the group talked about murdering tyrants or taking a sitting governor.

The group sought to grow its numbers, contacting a Michigan-based militia group known as the Wolverine Watchmen that shared overlapping interests. Facebook removed the Wolverine Watchmen group from its platform in June when it purged a number of groups connected to the anti-government boogaloo movement.

TechCrunch asked Facebook if the individuals connected with the Michigan militia through Facebook groups but the company did not provide an answer to that question.

Adam Fox, one of the groups alleged organizers, livestreamed to a private Facebook group earlier this year, complaining that Michigans restrictions were keeping gyms closed.

Many of these early events were organized on Facebook, but anti-Whitmer sentiment quickly became ubiquitous on the right across social networks and traditional media.

By July, the group considered attacking a Michigan State Police location but landed on abducting Whitmer from her private vacation home or governors summer residence.

Unfortunately for researchers and reporters tracking this kind of activity, Facebook recently removed the option to see how many members are in a public group at a glance from the search page.

Original article