LANSING — In case you missed it, on Friday, Michigan State Representative Rachelle Smit held a press conference honoring Michael Null, leader of the far-right militia group Wolverine Watchmen, for his “courage, unflagging spirit, and dedication” to Michigan.
As a reminder, Michael Null’s militia group is the same one that attempted to instigate a civil war and take down the government by kidnapping Governor Whitmer, and also plotted to use firearms and homemade bombs to blow up police vehicles and storm the Michigan Capitol to protest COVID-19 restrictions in 2020.
Now, with violent rhetoric and threats on the rise across the country, MI GOP’s own Rep. Smit took it upon herself to elevate Michael Null’s beliefs and past actions with a public event and tribute plaque – complete with the Michigan House of Representatives’ official seal.
Not only is the tribute chock-full of conspiracy theories, including blaming Governor Whitmer and her administration for sending “secret police forces” to concoct the kidnapping plot and persecute “innocent men” in their place, but this press conference confirms that extreme Michigan Republicans have no problem encouraging – and honoring – violence and attacks on elected officials.
The bottom line is that this behavior is unacceptable, and should not go unchecked. Rep. Smit’s press conference comes eerily close to when the news came to light that a GOP operative attempted to break into Governor Whitmer’s residence this past summer, showing how the kind of extreme rhetoric promoted by Rep. Smit, Michael Null, and other extreme groups in Michigan has led to some very real threats.
While it should be a no-brainer for Rep. Smit’s Republican colleagues to call her out for using her platform to celebrate conspiracy and violence, we’re not holding our breath.
Read more about this disturbing situation that has garnered local and national attention below:
The Independent: Michigan lawmaker honours two brothers acquitted of Whitmer kidnap plot
- A Republican state lawmaker’s glowing tribute to twin brothers who were acquitted of a plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer has been labelled “disturbing” by the Michigan Governor’s office.
- Rachelle Smit, a Trump-endorsed representative, praised William and Michael Null for their “courage, unflagging spirit and dedication” in a tribute at a press conference in Allegan on Friday.
The Messenger: Michigan Governor Rips Legislator Who Honored Men Acquitted of Trying to Kidnap Her
- Michigan state Rep. Rachelle Smit on Friday honored two men who were acquitted in a failed plot to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, saying she was doing so on behalf of the state.
- They were arrested in October 2020, accused of providing material support for terrorist acts and illegally possessing firearms.
Detroit News: GOP lawmaker bestows tribute to two men acquitted in Whitmer kidnapping plot
- State Rep. Rachelle Smit, a Republican from Shelbyville, gave a legislative tribute to twin brothers William and Michael Null, following their mid-September acquittal by an Antrim County jury on charges of allegedly providing support for a terrorist act and a weapon charge in connection to failed plots to kidnap the Democratic governor.
- The Nulls and [Eric] Molitor were accused of supporting leaders of the plan by participating in military-style drills and traveling to see Whitmer’s vacation home in northern Michigan. The key players, Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr., were convicted of a kidnapping conspiracy last year in federal court.
WOODTV: State rep. pays tribute to men acquitted in governor kidnap plot
- West Michigan state legislator paid tribute Friday to two men acquitted in the failed plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, with Rep. Rachelle Smit saying she was doing so on behalf of the state.
- “This goes beyond the pale,” press secretary Stacey LaRouche wrote in an email to News 8. “These types of actions normalize and incite violence against our political figures, and only serve to shake our faith in our values and our institutions. This tribute will further encourage and embolden radical extremists trying to sow discord and harm public officials or law enforcement.”
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