Federal prosecutors and attorneys for an armed anti-government militia continue to lay groundwork for a trial set to take place next year. The group of mostly-Michigan men, the so-called Wolverine Watchmen, are accused of plotting last year to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The defense has indicated it will show jurors that the plot never would have happened, had FBI informants not drawn the militia members in.

The defense has indicated it will show jurors that the plot never would have happened, had FBI informants not drawn the militia members in. Today, we talked with two Buzzfeed reporters about their investigation, which shines critical light on how the FBI investigated the plot, and the role confidential informants played in the case. 

GUESTS: 

Jessica Garrison, senior investigative editor for BuzzFeed News, based in San Francisco

Ken Bensinger, investigative reporter for BuzzFeed News, based in Los Angeles

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Federal prosecutors and attorneys for an armed anti-government militia continue to lay groundwork for a trial set to take place next year. The group of mostly-Michigan men, the so-called Wolverine Watchmen, are accused of plotting last year to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The defense has indicated it will show jurors that the plot never would have happened, had FBI informants not drawn the militia members in.
The defense has indicated it will show jurors that the plot never would have happened, had FBI informants not drawn the militia members in. Today, we talked with two Buzzfeed reporters about <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jessicagarrison/fbi-informants-in-michigan-kidnap-plot">their investigation</a>, which shines critical light on how the FBI investigated the plot, and the role confidential informants played in the case.&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
Jessica Garrison, senior investigative editor for BuzzFeed News, based in San Francisco
Ken Bensinger, investigative reporter for BuzzFeed News, based in Los Angeles
Looking for more conversations from Stateside?<a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside"> Right this way.</a>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider<a href="https://bit.ly/358m02D"> supporting our work.</a>
Stateside&rsquo;s theme music is by<a href="https://14kt.bandcamp.com/"> 14KT</a>.
Additional music by<a href="https://www.sessions.blue/"> Blue Dot Sessions.</a>

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/stateside">michiganpublic.org</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganradio.org/podfund

Stateside

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">michiganpublic.org</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://bit.ly/3RJN5Ul">supporting our work</a>: michiganradio.org/podfund

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