Michigan Republican Senate candidate John James received campaign contributions and was photographed with the organizer of the rally where conspirators accused of planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer allegedly plotted with a militia to recruit more members.
James, along with Vice President Mike Pence, was photographed with Ryan D. Kelley, a Grand Rapids real estate agent who heads the American Patriot Council, in since-deleted social media images reviewed by Salon. President Donald Trump was also pictured with Kelley in a photo posted to his Facebook profile.
Kelley was the organizer of the “Well-Regulated Militia” rally at the Michigan capitol in June. The FBI alleged in court documents that the leader of the group who plotted the attack on Whitmer met with militia leader Ty Garbin and a confidential source at the rally to discuss a plan and recruit more members.
Federal Election Commission records also show that Kelley has donated thousands to James’ campaign. James, who lost his 2018 Senate bid, is virtually tied with incumbent Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., in the latest New York Times/Siena College poll.
Kelley’s pro-gun rally drew “dozens of armed members from various militias, most of them white,” to the state capitol where they met with “other fringe groups like Boogaloo Bois and Proud Boys,” according to Bridge Michigan.
The FBI alleged that the rally was among the locations where members plotted to kidnap Whitmer, try her in a remote location in Wisconsin and execute her for “treason” after complaining that the state’s coronavirus lockdown had shuttered gyms. The FBI charged 13 men, including members of the Wolverine Watchmen militia, in the alleged plot last week.
Kelley disputed a link between the rally and the plot, noting that one of the suspects was a Black Lives Matter supporter and another suspect posted an anti-Trump video.
“The June APC Rally was pro-law enforcement,” he said in a statement to Salon. “We coordinated the entire rally with Michigan State Police [and] thanked them publicly for their service. To suggest our rally was a meeting place to discuss a plot against the [governor] is grossly inaccurate.”
James’ campaign did not respond to questions from Salon, but it sent over a statement the Republican previously made to reporters.
“That was insane. That’s like the most 2020 headline I’ve seen this week,” he told reporters after the news broke. “Under no circumstances should we have this at all. I condemn any domestic terrorism, and I hate it in all its forms. I swore an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, and the individuals implicated in this should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.”
“I took an oath to defend the Constitution and this nation against enemies foreign and DOMESTIC,” the Army veteran added on Twitter. “Those who threatened our State must be prosecuted to the fullest.”
Trump, who called to “liberate Michigan” in April and has been accused of emboldening militias, came under fire last month after he refused to denounce the Proud Boys and white supremacists in the first presidential debate. He also tweeted in support of protesters who stormed the Michigan capitol, some of whom were armed with guns, to condemn the state’s coronavirus restrictions.
Trump’s son Eric scrapped a campaign appearance on Monday at a Michigan gun shop where one of the plot suspects previously worked.
James, who has billed himself as a unity candidate, has also echoed the rhetoric from far-right Michigan groups who have criticized Whitmer’s coronavirus restrictions, railing against “socialism” and suggesting that Whitmer was dictator at recent campaign stops. His campaign stops have drawn members of the Proud Boys, which the FBI has classified as an “extremist group with ties to white nationalism.” James has also campaigned with NRA board member Ted Nugent, who has repeatedly espoused support for the militia movement.
Whitmer linked Republican rhetoric to the alleged plot against her over the weekend.
“I do believe that there are still serious threats that groups like this group — these domestic terrorists — are finding comfort and support in the rhetoric coming out of Republican leadership from the White House to our state House,” she told CBS News. “And so I remain concerned about safety and integrity going up to this election.”
The American Patriot Council denounced the alleged plot after the FBI announced the arrests.
“The American Patriot Council in no way condones violence as a form of political action. As the public is well aware, any actions taken by the American Patriot Council have been legal and lawful,” the group said in a statement. “While we hold the view that many public officials are guilty of a litany of crimes, and it has been our goal to hold these officials criminally responsible, we must do so lawfully.”
“The American Patriot Council believes in law and order across the board and that no American citizen should be deprived of their right to due process of law,” the statement added. “We have no affiliation with any other groups, nor will we aid or abet anyone using threats or acts of violence. Please take note that we are on the side of law enforcement. To this point, we have not been made aware of any plans of violence, and we believe our members and followers to be patriots.”
Trump, meanwhile, attacked Whitmer over the coronavirus restrictions after the arrests were announced. He also demanded that she thank him.
“Rather than say thank you,” Trump tweeted, “she calls me a White Supremacist.”
271455 795354Very informative post. Your current Internet site style is awesome as well! 336613
293291 277882Oh my goodness! an excellent post dude. A lot of thanks Nevertheless We are experiencing problem with ur rss . Dont know why Not able to sign up to it. Could there be anybody obtaining identical rss dilemma? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx 953253
58751 489419Id want to consult you here. Which isnt some thing Which i do! I enjoy reading a post that can make men and women feel. Also, appreciate your permitting me to comment! 957587
995119 624789Hi, have you ever before asked yourself to write about Nintendo or PSP? 860154
808805 812166hi, your website is really very good. I truly do appreciate your give excellent results 460492
630417 853320Thanks for providing such an excellent post, it was exceptional and quite informative. It is my initial time that I pay a visit to here. I located plenty of informative stuff within your write-up. Keep it up. Thank you. 800706
478137 257795Your writing is fine and gives food for thought. I hope that Ill have more time to read your articles . Regards. I wish you that you frequently publish new texts and invite you to greet me 443624
235795 763845Ive writers block that comes and goes and I want to locate a approach to get rid of my writers block. It can occasionally be so bad I can barley make sentences. Any ideas? 519858
944461 423533Hi there! I could have sworn Ive been to this internet site before but soon after reading via some of the post I realized its new to me. Anyhow, Im certainly glad I identified it and Ill be book-marking and checking back often! 435383
174919 921025Following study several of the blog articles for your web site now, and that i really like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and are checking back soon. Pls consider my internet website too and inform me what you consider. 202355
992555 708678This web web site may possibly be a walk-through for all of the details you wanted in regards to this and didnt know who to question. Glimpse here, and youll surely discover it. 114001
421661 450967Right after examine a couple of with the weblog posts on your site now, and I really like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and shall be checking once again soon. Pls try my website online as properly and let me know what you think. 805202
788929 953093Its difficult to get knowledgeable individuals within this topic, even so, you appear to be guess what happens you are dealing with! Thanks 102812
645080 786523Some truly great articles on this site , appreciate it for contribution. 888706
I love the information you provide in your articles and I am sure I will learn a lot of new things on your blog.Neat blog! Designs like yours can become mine with just a few simple tweaks.
A compelling story requires a writer with good sense and insight, and I am very impressed with your article.
Best information about drug. Read here.
경마솔루션제작 |분양 |임대,【월150만원】으로 대한민국1위 경마솔루션 제작 가성비 좋은 경마솔루션업체입니다
I seriously feel this web site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanksfor the advice!
Very Amazing and Interesting blog . Thanks for sharing.Wonderful collection . I really like it. It’s very helpful for everyone.
I seriously love your blog.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you develop this website
Your website is great and I will be bookmarking your blog, I am sure will learn a lot of new things here. Good luck to everyone!
Very nice article, I just stumbled upon your blog, it’s a great site, thanks for sharing it with everyone. I will bookmark this site and check back regularly for posts
경마솔루션제작,임대,경마사이트 제작/임대,경마프로그램 제작/임대,경마사이트 분양,경마프로그램 분양,최신형경마솔루션,최신형경마프로그램 및경마솔루션임대 대한민국1위 경마솔루션업체입니다.
Hello, this weekend is nice in favor of me, as this occasion i am reading this fantastic
913379 455235Woh I like your content material , saved to bookmarks ! . 729362
【경마솔루션】【월150만원】【텔레@vm8282】경마솔루션제작|임대|분양/경마사이트제작|분양|임대
This website truly has all of the info I needed concerning this subject and
didn’t know who to ask.
I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information.
Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
I just like the valuable info you provide for your articles. I will bookmark your blog and test again here regularly.
Very nice post, stumbled across your blog and wanted to say that I really enjoy browsing your blog posts. I hope you write again soon and I will definitely be back.
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구입
비아그라 퀵배송
비아그라 퀵배송
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구입
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
This site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone
with a little originality!
비아그라
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구입
비아그라 퀵배송
비아그라 퀵배송
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구입
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
비아그라 구매
Wonderful site. Plenty of helpful info here. I’m sending
it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious.
Analyzing Wednesday’s TCU at West Virginia nname odds and lines, with college basketball professional picks,
predictions and ideal bets.
Hello! I have benefited a lot from reading your article. If you are interested, please feel free to send
my email. I look forward to hearing from you! excellent blog
Cautions. Read information now.
legitimate canadian pharmacy online
What side effects can this medication cause? Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions.
أكبر شركة لانتاج أنابيب البولي ايثيلين و يو بي سي ومستلزماتها للمنتجات الصناعية في عيراق
Definitely love your site and your blog is really great, keep it up! This site is what the web needs, people with a little creativity!
Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You
have done a wonderful job!
whyride
카지노사이트제작,카지노API,카지노알본사 알공급 월 250만 제공. @kbm8282
【카지노솔루션제작|임대|분양】【텔레@kbm8282】【월250만원】
Thanks very interesting blog!
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this blog’s content all the
time along with a cup of coffee.
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this blog’s content all the
time along with a cup of coffee.
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this blog’s content all the
time along with a cup of coffee.
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this blog’s content all the
time along with a cup of coffee.
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this blog’s content all the
time along with a cup of coffee.
I have you book marked to see new stuff on your blog I had spent for this
info! Thanks!