In a Michigan courtroom, the trial of three men accused of aiding a plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer took a startling turn as the prosecutor portrayed them as anarchists who saw themselves as “the new founding fathers” and were prepared for violence.
William Rollstin of the state attorney general’s office, in his opening statement, revealed the defendants’ extremist motives, saying, “They didn’t like the U.S. government. They didn’t like the state government. They all desired to start a civil war, if you can believe it.”
He emphasized the audacity and danger of their plans, noting, “For the average person, it’s almost impossible to fathom how brazen, how bold, how dangerous these individuals were.”
Eric Molitor and twin brothers William Null and Michael Null face charges in Antrim County Circuit Court, including providing material support for terrorist acts, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years, and illegal possession of firearms. They have pleaded not guilty.
Defense attorneys countered that their clients had engaged in paramilitary activities and were dissatisfied with conditions in the U.S., but they argued that no crimes had been committed. They accused investigators and prosecutors of distorting evidence to exaggerate the case.
“They’re reaching, stretching, misrepresenting these facts,” said William Barnett, Molitor’s lawyer.
These defendants were part of a group of 14 men arrested weeks before the November 2020 election. Nine have been convicted in state or federal courts, with four pleading guilty, while two were acquitted.
The group, described by investigators as members of self-styled “militia” groups, was allegedly angered by Governor Whitmer’s COVID-19 policies, which included school closures and economic restrictions.
Eleven women and seven men were chosen as jurors in Antrim County, a Republican-leaning area known for tourism and where Governor Whitmer has a vacation home.
Rollstin informed jurors that the three defendants supported a plan devised by ringleaders Adam Fox and Barry Croft to abduct the governor and destroy a bridge to hinder law enforcement from reaching her. Informants and undercover FBI agents infiltrated the group, leading to the arrests, and Governor Whitmer was not physically harmed.
The Null brothers, both 41, led the Michigan Liberty Militia and supported the “boogaloo” movement, which aimed to overthrow the government, according to Rollstin. Molitor, 39, was recruited by Fox to join his “civilian army.”
The prosecutor presented audio and video clips, social media posts, and excerpts from encrypted online conversations to outline the alleged scheme and the roles of the three defendants.
He claimed that the Null brothers conducted surveillance on Whitmer’s home and participated in paramilitary training exercises, including one at a makeshift “kill house” intended for an assault on the governor’s residence.
Molitor, according to Rollstin, also joined an observation mission, recorded video of the house, and provided an electronic device. The prosecutor asserted that all three defendants were fully aware that the plan constituted an act of terrorism.
The intended targets included not only Governor Whitmer but also her state police security detail and local officers.
Molitor’s attorney described him as a minor player who initially did not realize that Whitmer’s house was the target. He claimed that Molitor was “very scared” and had minimal contact with the others after the incident, stating, “He had no intent to do anything criminal. He was shocked when he was arrested.”
Kristyna Nunzio, representing William Null, argued that her client’s skepticism toward the government was not a crime in itself, emphasizing that “he has a healthy mistrust for government.”
Two other defendants, Brian Higgins and Shawn Fix, pleaded guilty to reduced charges earlier this year and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
The primary kidnapping conspiracy case was handled in federal court, where four men, including Fox and Croft, were convicted, while two others were acquitted.
Separately, three men were convicted at trial in Jackson County, where militia members trained, and are currently serving lengthy prison sentences.
After the plot was foiled, Governor Whitmer criticized then-President Donald Trump, accusing him of providing comfort to those spreading fear, hatred, and division. Trump, in August 2022, dismissed the kidnapping plan as a “fake deal.”