### Trump Considers Pardoning Men Convicted in Whitmer Kidnapping Plot

Former President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he would review the possibility of pardoning the individuals convicted in the 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Trump referred to the case, which saw two men convicted and two others pleading guilty, as a "railroad job."

During a swearing-in ceremony for U.S. Attorney in D.C. Jeanine Pirro, Trump remarked, "I will take a look at it. It's been brought to my attention," adding that the trial seemed to him to be unfair. Trump's comments followed recent statements from Ed Martin, the new pardon attorney at the Justice Department, who indicated that he would scrutinize the case thoroughly.

In 2020, during Trump's presidency, federal prosecutors charged six individuals with planning to kidnap Whitmer, who was then facing significant criticism over her COVID-19 policies. The indictment detailed how the men, some associated with a militia group, allegedly conducted surveillance on Whitmer's vacation home and planned to blow up a nearby bridge as part of the kidnapping scheme. Fortunately, Whitmer was never harmed.

Among the six defendants, Barry Croft and Adam Fox were found guilty and sentenced to more than ten years in prison after an initial trial resulted in a hung jury. Two other defendants admitted guilt and received prison sentences, while the remaining two were acquitted at trial. Defense lawyers for the accused argued their clients were not serious about executing the plot, portraying them as individuals who liked to "play army" but had no intention of acting on their talk. Claims of entrapment by FBI agents and informants were dismissed by a federal appeals court, which recently upheld the convictions of Croft and Fox.

Several participants related to the plot faced convictions in state court, where entrapment defenses were also common. However, it is important to note that Trump does not have the authority to pardon individuals convicted on state charges.

Trump had previously clashed with Whitmer in 2020, notably tweeting "LIBERATE MICHIGAN" amid public protests against her COVID-19 policies. After the arrests related to the kidnapping plot, Trump criticized Whitmer for not expressing gratitude towards him. Throughout his second term, Trump has extensively exercised his pardon power, including granting pardons to nearly all individuals convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot.