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Gretchen Whitmer (on January 25)
Photo: Jeff Kowalsky / AFP
The case had made headlines – and had also been seen as an example of the escalation of political rhetoric into open violence.
Two people have been found guilty of plotting to kidnap US Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
A court found it proven that the two men had plotted to kidnap the governor of Michigan at her vacation home in 2020, the US Department of Justice said.
The use of a bomb was also considered in order to disable the politician's security personnel.
One of the two men was found guilty of possession of explosives.
The judge has yet to set the sentence.
Life imprisonment is threatened.
"Today's verdict confirms that this plot was very real and very dangerous," said prosecutor Andrew Birge.
"These men were not only a threat to the governor personally, but also to bystanders." At a first trial in the spring, the jury had not come to a unanimous verdict.
Whitmer himself said Tuesday the guilty verdicts show that violence and threats have no place in politics and that those who attempt to divide society will be held accountable.
Assassination of officials and threats against the FBI would highlight the worrying spread of "radicalized domestic terrorism" threatening the very foundations of the United States.
FBI keeps a close eye on social media
The Democrat had repeatedly messed with Donald Trump in the past and accused him of incitement to violence, among other things.
In response, the former US President worked his way through Whitmer and openly agitated his political opponent during appearances in Michigan.
In early 2020, FBI investigators took to social media to see a group of people discussing the "violent overthrow of certain government and law enforcement components."
With the help of informants, undercover agents and secret recordings of conversations, the plans were finally uncovered in autumn 2020.
In addition to the men who have now been found guilty, other suspects have also been arrested.
jok/dpa
