Michigan’s Whitmer Reacts to Trump’s Talk of Pardoning Her Alleged Kidnappers – “He Told Me He’d Drop It”
In a fresh wave of political tension, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is calling out former President Donald Trump for backtracking on a promise she says he made just weeks ago. The issue? Whether Trump is seriously considering pardoning the men convicted of plotting to kidnap her back in 2020.
Just recently, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, “I’m going to look at it,” referring to the idea of granting clemency to the men involved in the chilling conspiracy to abduct Whitmer from a vacation home.
Wait, What? Trump Considers Pardoning Domestic Terrorists?
This shocking revelation came after Trump appeared to question the fairness of the trial, saying, “It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job.” He added, “They were drinking, and I think they said stupid things, but I’ll take a look at that.”
That’s right — the former president hinted that the defendants may have been treated unfairly and claimed that “a lot of people think they got railroaded.”
That statement hit like a political grenade in Michigan.
💥 A Plot Foiled — But Not Forgotten
Let’s rewind for a second. Back in 2020, authorities thwarted a terrifying scheme where a group of armed men planned to kidnap Governor Whitmer, allegedly over her COVID-19 restrictions. According to the FBI, the plot even involved plans to blow up a bridge to delay law enforcement response.
In total, 14 men were charged—eight on state charges, six federally. Out of those, nine were convicted or pleaded guilty, and five were acquitted. While the criminal proceedings spanned months, the message from officials was clear: this wasn’t just extremist chatter—it was a domestic terrorism case.
Whitmer: “He Said He’d Drop It”
Speaking to Michigan Public Radio, Whitmer seemed genuinely surprised by Trump’s apparent change of heart.
“I talked to the President about a month ago, and he asked me how I’d feel about this,” she explained. “I said, ‘I think it would be the wrong decision. I would oppose it.’ And he said, ‘Okay, I’ll drop it.’ Now, we see this revelation.”
She said she’s not entirely sure how to interpret Trump’s new stance and is planning to reach out again: “I will be reaching out over the weekend.”
🧠 Thoughtful or Tactical? Whitmer Unsure of Trump’s Intentions
When asked directly if she thinks Trump is seriously considering the pardons, Whitmer offered a measured take: “I don’t know. When I talked to him before, we had a thoughtful conversation about it, and he said he’d drop it. So I’m not sure what to make of this new revelation.”
The Democratic governor, who was once a vocal critic of Trump during his presidency—especially during the early days of the pandemic—has more recently shown moments of bipartisanship. The two leaders have even shared civil exchanges in public, including a recent White House meeting and a friendly nod from Trump during a trip to Michigan.
But this twist? It’s rattled the political table.
🚨 “These Are Domestic Terrorists,” Says Michigan AG
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel didn’t mince words in her own reaction. She told CNN’s Erin Burnett that Trump is not someone to trust with a handshake deal.
“You can’t count on the president to keep his word,” Nessel said bluntly. “And if Governor Whitmer thinks that his promise alone will be enough, then unfortunately, I got a bridge to sell her.”
She emphasized that this isn’t a matter of political gamesmanship. “This is dangerous. The thought of pardoning people under these circumstances. These are domestic terrorists.”
🗣️ Trump vs. Whitmer – A Complicated History
Back in 2020, the relationship between Trump and Whitmer was anything but cordial. In the midst of COVID shutdowns and protests, Trump publicly criticized her handling of the pandemic. When the kidnapping plot was foiled, Trump still took aim, blasting Whitmer for not showing gratitude.
“Rather than say thank you,” Trump wrote on social media, “she calls me a White Supremacist.”
This came after federal authorities announced they’d stopped the violent plan. Trump used the moment to defend himself and accused Whitmer of politicizing the situation—an accusation she forcefully denied.
👥 From Enemies to Friendly Acquaintances?
In recent months, though, things seemed to cool off. In April, Whitmer and a bipartisan delegation visited the White House to discuss infrastructure and state priorities. During that visit, Trump even offered her a public compliment—a rare sight given their history.
But this recent whiplash over possible pardons has thrown that fragile truce into uncertainty.
💬 Condemning Violence — From All Sides
To her credit, Whitmer has consistently spoken out against violence, even when it’s targeted at political opponents.
“When the man shot at the president when he was on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania,” she noted, “I was one of the first office holders on either side of the aisle to condemn it.”
That shooting last year at a Trump rally in Butler, PA, left several injured and was widely condemned. Whitmer says her stance is grounded in principle, not politics.
“Because anything short of condemnation creates a dangerous space for people that are sworn an oath to do the work of the public. We don’t take up arms and harm one another.”
🔍 Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture
Let’s not forget—this story goes beyond Michigan politics. It hits at a larger national debate over how we treat domestic terrorism, political extremism, and the power of presidential pardons.
Trump has already issued a long list of controversial pardons in his previous term, many involving political allies or figures who supported his agenda. If he moves forward with pardoning the men in the Whitmer plot, it could reignite serious concerns over how presidential powers are used—or misused.
🧭 Final Thoughts: A Test of Trust
Governor Whitmer’s cautious tone may reflect a deeper concern: Can Trump be trusted? The fact that he reportedly promised not to pursue the pardons—then publicly suggested he might—only fuels doubts about consistency and motive.
Meanwhile, voices like AG Dana Nessel are warning that these aren't just political prisoners; these were people prepared to kidnap a sitting governor and use explosives to escape justice.
As 2024 politics heats up and Trump continues to make headlines, this story is a powerful reminder that words matter—especially when lives, security, and democratic values are on the line.
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