Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer addressed the charges brought by state and federal officials against 13 members of two militia groups who plotted to “kidnap and possibly kill” her.

She thanked the law enforcement officials who protected her and her family, including her two teenage daughters and three stepsons.  She thanked prosecutors who are “pursuing criminal charges that hopefully lead to convictions, bringing these sick and depraved men to justice.”

“I’ve said it many times:  we are not one another’s enemy,” Whitmer said.  “This virus is our enemy, and this enemy is relentless.”  Whitmer went on to say that the virus doesn’t discriminate based on political affiliation, wealth or race.  “It threatens us all,” she said.

“This should be a moment for national unity where we all pull together as American to meet this challenge head on with the same might and muscle that put a man on the moon,” Whitmer declared.

“Instead, our head of state has spent the last seven months denying science, ignoring his own health experts, stoking distrust, fomenting anger, and giving comfort to those who spread fear and hatred and division,” Whitner asserted.

“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,” Whitmer stated.  “When our leaders speak, their words matter.”

“When our leaders meet with, encourage or fraternize with domestic terrorists, they legitimize their actions and they are complicit,” Whitmer declared.  “When they stoke and contribute to hate speech, they are complicit.”

“So let me say this loud and clear:  hatred, bigotry and violence have no place in the great state of Michigan,” she stated.

“For the past seven months, I’ve made tough choices to keep our state safe,” Whitmer said, referring to the public health regulations put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus.  The militia groups that plotted her kidnapping–and supposedly a trial–were against those actions, seeing them as violations of personal freedoms.  “These have been gut-wrenching decisions no governor has ever had to make.  And I get it.  Life has been hard for us all.”

Whitmer noted the various types of people impacted by the virus and the decisions made to protect the population:  family, parents, students, business owners and others.

“The disruption this virus caused to our daily lives is immeasurable,” Whitmer said.  “It has already taken the lives of 210,000 Americans including over 6,800 right here in Michigan.”

“As painful as these losses are, our hard work and sacrifices have saved thousands of lives,” said Whitmer.  “We have one of the strongest economic recoveries in the nation.

“Make no mistake  there will be hard days ahead, but I want the people of Michigan to know this:  as your governor, I will never stop doing everything in my power to keep you and your family safe.”

Whitmer implored:  “You don’t have to agree with me, but I do ask one thing:  never forget that we are all in this together.  Show a little kindness and a lot more empathy.  Give one another a little grace and let’s take care of each other.”