The accused say they were entrapped, but a judge warned them that will be a high legal bar to clear.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a news conference on Oct. 8, 2020, after six men were charged with conspiring to kidnap her.
Attorneys for the five defendants in the federal case, which also includes weapons of mass destruction and weapons charges, could not be reached for comment, although some had previously indicated they did not expect their dismissal motion to prevail. A sixth man, Ty Garbin, previouslyin the matter and is expected to testify on the government’s behalf. Eight other men are charged with related crimes in Michigan state court.
“The fact remains: legislators are demanding accountability from the FBI,” the attorney, Scott Graham, wrote, drawing parallels to the alleged misconduct of the bureau in the Michigan case.