Trump reportedly informed Michigan Governor Whitmer that he wouldn't entertain the idea of pardoning the individuals implicated in the kidnap conspiracy plot against her.
President Donald Trump's potential pardon for two men convicted in a kidnapping plot against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has evolved, with a new development arising from the U.S. Justice Department and comments from the president.
Ed Martin Jr., the U.S. Justice Department's pardon attorney, has signaled a thorough review of the cases of Barry Croft Jr. and Adam Fox, considering them similar to individuals pardoned in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Meanwhile, President Trump has expressed his consideration for pardoning the two accused, suggesting their trial might have been unfair and that they were merely overindulging in alcohol and making careless comments. However, Whitmer, voice of dissent, recalls a conversation where Trump assured her he would not pursue pardons after she expressed her disapproval.
Whitmer, maintaining her stance, has reiterated her opposition to such pardons, saying she would be disheartened if Trump were to renege on his promise.
Croft and Fox, charged as part of a group of anti-government extremists, had planned to kidnap the governor at her vacation home in northern Michigan. Convicted in federal court in Grand Rapids in 2022, Croft and Fox were sentenced to a significant prison term, with Croft receiving almost 20 years and Fox serving 16.
The federal panel of three judges from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions in April, dismissing claims of FBI entrapment and referring to the crime as a textbook conspiracy.
The White House has not yet commented on the matter. The president's consideration comes six days after Martin's statement on a podcast.
Notably, Trump had pardoned or commuted the sentences of 1500 individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, including at least 45 Michiganders.
(Contributions by Craig Mauger, Melissa Nann Burke, and Grant Schwab)
©2025 The Detroit News. Visit detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Other prominent stories include a Utah man's serious injuries from a 90-foot jump at a popular Oregon waterfall, forecasters' warnings of several years of extreme heat, a tragic car crash during a driving lesson resulting in a father's death, Secret Service agents facing suspension for a fight outside former President Obama's home, and the question of who will acquire the Bob's Red Mill store, as it will not be owned by Clackamas County.
- The U.S. Justice Department's pardon attorney, Ed Martin Jr., is reviewing the cases of Barry Croft Jr. and Adam Fox, who were convicted for their roles in a kidnapping plot against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in a manner similar to individuals pardoned in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
- President Trump has considered pardoning Croft and Fox, suggesting their trial might have been unfair and that they were merely overindulging in alcohol and making careless comments, despite Whitmer's opposition to such pardons.
- Meanwhile, a Utah man sustained serious injuries from a 90-foot jump at a popular Oregon waterfall, and Secret Service agents are facing suspension for a fight outside former President Obama's home, while the question of who will acquire the Bob's Red Mill store arises, as it will not be owned by Clackamas County.
- Forecasters have issued warnings of several years of extreme heat, and a tragic car crash during a driving lesson resulted in a father's death, adding to the general news and crime-and-justice headlines.
