Trump mulls pardon for men convicted in Whitmer kidnapping plot
President Trump on Wednesday said he'd "take a look at" possible pardons for the men convicted in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), adding it seemed like a "railroad job."
The big picture: Trump's comments follow those from the Justice Department's pardon attorney, Ed Martin, who said on a recent podcast that "on the pardon front, we can't leave these guys behind" in reference to two men who are serving prison terms for acting as ringleaders in the conspiracy.
Whitmer's office did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
Driving the news:"It's been brought to my attention," Trump said in the Oval Office Wednesday during a swearing-in ceremony for U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro. "I did watch the trial — it looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job."
He attributed the conduct that led to charges to people saying "stupid things" and drinking.
"A lot of people are asking me that question — from both sides, actually," he said. "A lot of people think they got railroaded."
Catch up quick: Prosecutors alleged that the group intended to kidnap Whitmer in a plot that was partially in response to her COVID-19 restrictions and foiled by the FBI.
Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr., the co-leaders of the plot to overthrow the state government, were sentenced to 16 years and more than 19 years, respectively.
Friction point: After charges were brought in the case in October 2020, Whitmer in a press conference pointed to Trump's refusal to condemn white supremacists during a presidential debate, saying" Hate groups heard the president's words not as a rebuke but as a rallying cry, as a call to action."
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