Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says President Donald Trump would be going back on his word to her if he pardoned two men who are serving prison sentences for leading a 2020 plot to kidnap her.
Whitmer, a Democrat, told on Thursday that Trump asked her about a month ago how she would feel if he pardoned the two men.
"I said, 'I think it would be the wrong decision,'" Whitmer recounted. "I would oppose it and he said, 'OK, I'll drop it.'"
Whitmer, a possible 2028 presidential candidate, recounted the conversation one day after Trump said he was considering a pardon for the men, saying, "I will take a look at it. It's been brought to my attention."
The Republican president said he followed the men's trial and "it looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job." He said the men "were drinking and I think they said stupid things."
The Justice Department's new pardon attorney Ed Martin said earlier this month he will take a "hard look" at the Whitmer kidnapping case.
Two of the six defendants — Barry Croft and Adam Fox — were found guilty at trial after a hung jury at an initial trial. Two others pleaded guilty and were also sentenced to prison terms, and two were acquitted at trial.
Croft was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison, while Fox, a Grand Rapids man, got a 16-year term. They are being held at a prison in Colorado — the most secure in the federal system.
Whitmer later told an audience following a speech at the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference that she plans to talk to Trump again about the pardoning matter.
"We have an ongoing dialogue now ... very different from the first term," she said about Trump and turned to smile at the audience.
A spokesperson said the White House cannot confirm nor deny any upcoming actions.
"The White House does not comment on the President's private meetings, and any speculation about future pardons is just that—speculation," principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said in a statement.
Whitmer and Trump clashed publicly during his first term, with Trump referring to her as " that woman from Michigan." She has blamed Trump for the political anger that motivated the plot to kidnap her right before the 2020 presidential election.
Whitmer also hinted Thursday at anger over the possibility of pardons, saying she was disappointed to hear the news he was considering it.
"No one should hesitate to condemn political violence," she said, noting the arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence and the assassination attempt on Donald Trump last year.
Several other people of links to the plot against Whitmer, often raising similar entrapment defenses. Mr. Trump is not able to pardon people on state charges.
Whitmer has faced scrutiny from some Democrats for taking a more collaborative approach to the Trump administration in his second term.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat who has criticized Whitmer for working with and appearing with Trump, said releasing the convicted men is "no laughing matter."
"The reward you get for cozying up to Trump is him threatening to pardon the terrorists who plotted to kidnap and murder you," she said on .
Whitmer's collaboration with Trump has come with several awkward moments for her this year, including when she was unexpectedly in the Oval Office during a press conference as Trump ordered the Justice Department to investigate two former members of his previous administration who had publicly criticized him.
Their new dynamic also led to some wins for her administration, including securing new jets at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County and a commitment from Trump to fund a project to protect Lake Michigan from invasive carp.
Joe Walsh
contributed to this report.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says Trump told her he would not pardon men convicted in kidnapping plot
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/ CBS/AP
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says President Donald Trump would be going back on his word to her if he pardoned two men who are serving prison sentences for leading a 2020 plot to kidnap her.
Whitmer, a Democrat, told on Thursday that Trump asked her about a month ago how she would feel if he pardoned the two men.
"I said, 'I think it would be the wrong decision,'" Whitmer recounted. "I would oppose it and he said, 'OK, I'll drop it.'"
Whitmer, a possible 2028 presidential candidate, recounted the conversation one day after Trump said he was considering a pardon for the men, saying, "I will take a look at it. It's been brought to my attention."
The Republican president said he followed the men's trial and "it looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job." He said the men "were drinking and I think they said stupid things."
The Justice Department's new pardon attorney Ed Martin said earlier this month he will take a "hard look" at the Whitmer kidnapping case.
Two of the six defendants — Barry Croft and Adam Fox — were found guilty at trial after a hung jury at an initial trial. Two others pleaded guilty and were also sentenced to prison terms, and two were acquitted at trial.
Croft was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison, while Fox, a Grand Rapids man, got a 16-year term. They are being held at a prison in Colorado — the most secure in the federal system.
Whitmer later told an audience following a speech at the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference that she plans to talk to Trump again about the pardoning matter.
"We have an ongoing dialogue now ... very different from the first term," she said about Trump and turned to smile at the audience.
A spokesperson said the White House cannot confirm nor deny any upcoming actions.
"The White House does not comment on the President's private meetings, and any speculation about future pardons is just that—speculation," principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said in a statement.
Whitmer and Trump clashed publicly during his first term, with Trump referring to her as " that woman from Michigan." She has blamed Trump for the political anger that motivated the plot to kidnap her right before the 2020 presidential election.
Whitmer also hinted Thursday at anger over the possibility of pardons, saying she was disappointed to hear the news he was considering it.
"No one should hesitate to condemn political violence," she said, noting the arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence and the assassination attempt on Donald Trump last year.
Several other people of links to the plot against Whitmer, often raising similar entrapment defenses. Mr. Trump is not able to pardon people on state charges.
Whitmer has faced scrutiny from some Democrats for taking a more collaborative approach to the Trump administration in his second term.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat who has criticized Whitmer for working with and appearing with Trump, said releasing the convicted men is "no laughing matter."
"The reward you get for cozying up to Trump is him threatening to pardon the terrorists who plotted to kidnap and murder you," she said on .
Whitmer's collaboration with Trump has come with several awkward moments for her this year, including when she was unexpectedly in the Oval Office during a press conference as Trump ordered the Justice Department to investigate two former members of his previous administration who had publicly criticized him.
Their new dynamic also led to some wins for her administration, including securing new jets at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County and a commitment from Trump to fund a project to protect Lake Michigan from invasive carp.
Joe Walsh contributed to this report.
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