NEED TO KNOW
- President Trump suggested he may consider pardoning men convicted in the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
- Trump described the men as “very passionate tour planners who maybe got a little carried away.”
- The White House press secretary later clarified that “take a look” means “ask if they like Trump hats.”
Trump Once Again Flirts with Felon-Friendly Diplomacy
During a press conference outside a golf cart charging station, President Donald Trump hinted he might pardon several men convicted of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The president described the convicts as “very passionate citizens” and said he would “take a look” at their case, which has been interpreted by legal experts as code for “someone printed out a meme I liked.”
The kidnapping plot, which involved surveillance, weapons, and extremely misguided patriotism, led to multiple convictions and long prison sentences. Trump previously downplayed the plot in 2020 as “a little aggressive Airbnb scouting.”
From Militia to Maybe Pardoned
The convicted men were members of an anti-government group who claimed they were fighting tyranny by abducting a sitting governor and maybe blowing up a bridge for fun. Now, they may receive presidential attention on the grounds that their hearts were in the “freedom-loving” place — just not their Google Maps.
Asked about the convictions, Trump responded, “These guys — they’re tough, they’re angry, and some of them have better beards than the Duck Dynasty people. We’ll take a look.”
White House Insists This is Normal, Like Always
White House Press Secretary Jenna McMuffin clarified the president’s remarks later that afternoon. “When President Trump says he’ll ‘take a look,’ it means he might ask someone if they’ve ever been on Truth Social. That’s just good vetting.” She also reminded reporters that the president has “a big heart, especially for guys with tactical gear and misguided plans.”
Meanwhile, Governor Whitmer declined to comment directly, although her staff installed five new panic buttons and adopted a rottweiler named “Executive Order.”
Quote of the Moment
We weren’t trying to kidnap her, we just wanted to borrow her leadership for an indeterminate amount of time
anonymous militia guy now selling autographed zip ties on Etsy
