A couple weeks ago I penned an article detailing the FBI’s role in keeping the group together that was ultimately accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020. As of Friday, the four men on trial for the alleged attempt on Michigan’s governor were cleared of all charges. Defendants Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were acquitted of their charges. Meanwhile, verdicts could not be reached for defendants Adam Fox and Barry Croft, and a mistrial was declared in their cases by US District Judge Robert Jonker.
It was Croft’s defense attorney Joshua Blanchard, who I wrote had made the case that the FBI had engaged in entrapment against his client. He later called the investigation “an embarrassment,” and declared “We have to tell them this isn’t how our country operates. This isn’t how our justice system is supposed to work. We can’t use people like Barry Croft, and Adam Fox, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta. We can’t use them as pawns in order to advance our interests.” Of the argument laid out by Fox’s lawyer, CNN said the following:
“Defense attorneys claimed federal law enforcement manufactured the alleged kidnapping conspiracy through confidential informants and undercover agents.Fox, who was impoverished, unfocused and had little tactical abilities, never would’ve found his way to the alleged crimes without the coaxing of a paid confidential informant who propped up Fox as a leader of the plot, Fox’s attorney told the jury.”
“Today, Michiganders and Americans—especially our children—are living through the normalization of political violence. 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. That includes addressing violence and threats to our democracy. We appreciate the prosecutors and law enforcement officers for their work on this case.”
Two other men accused of taking part in the plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer, Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks, took plea deals and testified at the trial. One has to wonder if they did so purely out of fear, and could have instead gone free like Croft, Fox, Harris, and Caserta had they not.
Brady Bowyer is a veteran of many political campaigns ranging from the municipal to federal level, as well as several pro-freedom PACs and nonprofits. Check out more of Brady’s work on his Substack, Leaning into Liberty. He and his wife are proud to call South Carolina’s Lowcountry their home.
"*" indicates required fields
