The plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer from NBC News, MSNBC, and CBS News

I was planning on writing an update to Tropical Storm Beta is the ninth named storm to make landfall in the U.S., tying a century-old record, plus 'zombie' Tropical Storm Paulette returns today, but circumstances intervened, so I plan to get to Hurricane Delta and a progress report on the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season tomorrow. Instead, I'm posting a follow-up of sorts to Trump tweets 'Liberate Michigan' after Operation Gridlock protest in Lansing in response to yesterday's news. What news? Watch Militia Members Arrested In Plot To Kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer | TODAY.

In Michigan, the FBI and local police say they’ve disrupted a plot to kidnap the state’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer. At least six people have been arrested, and Whitmer is pointing a finger at President Trump, saying he is complicit. NBC justice correspondent Pete Williams reports for TODAY.

First, yikes! Second, "Today" was being a bit euphemistic. The participants were charged with being gang members, not militia members, although I don't think that's a bad thing. Engaging in criminal activity is what gangs do.

Katy Tur interviewed Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who offered background and analysis on the case in Michigan AG On Foiled Militia Plot: This May Very Well Be The Tip Of The Iceberg | Katy Tur | MSNBC.

The FBI says it has foiled a militia plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer, target law enforcement, and instigate a Civil War. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joins Katy Tur to discuss. Aired on 10/08/2020.

"The tip of the iceberg" — again, yikes! On a more intellectual level, Nessel made an important point about the apparent contradiction of militias both targeting and supporting law enforcement. It depends on which level of government the law enforcement officers and agents are working for. Federal and state law enforcement would be the targets, while municipal law enforcement agencies such as county sheriffs and police departments in rural areas would provide some of the supporters. That resolves the contradiction on a practical level, if not a conceptual one.

Nessel also made a good point about supporting safe voting and protecting the count being the best defense against unrest during what should be a peaceful transfer of power. I hope she succeeds in Michigan. She can't help what happens elsewhere.

Follow over the jump for more videos and views about the case.

Nessel also alluded to the connection between Operation Gridlock and Trump's tweets to "Liberate Michigan." She made that point explicitly on The Rachel Maddow Show last night in Alleged Domestic Terrorists Used Armed Protests At Michigan Capitol For Recruitment | MSNBC.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel talks with Rachel Maddow about how the armed protests at the Michigan state capitol served as a means of outreach and recruitment for right wing extremists like the men charged today with plotting to kidnap Michigan's governor.

CBS News just uploaded a video showing two participants of the plot at the Michigan Capitol brandishing guns in the gallery of the state legislature. Watch New details about plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to see the relevant images and video clips.

The FBI and Michigan state officials have charged 13 people in an alleged domestic terror plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer. CBS News chief Justice and Homeland Security correspondent Jeff Pegues joins CBSN to explain how the threat was uncovered.

All of this reminds me of what I wrote originally as a comment on an Archdruid Report post (which means it's now gone) but saved in The Archdruid on Fascism, part 2.

Decades ago, I decided that the radicals on the Right (note that I didn't call them conservatives, even if they call themselves that these days) were more dangerous than the ones on the Left. First, I figured out that there were a lot more of them. Second, I looked at the history of Communist vs. Fascist regimes. I can't think of a single successful indigenous Communist revolution that took place in a democracy. When the socialists take over a democracy, it looks like Sweden, not the U.S.S.R. Therefore, that wasn't going to happen to the U.S. On the other hand, I looked at all the fascist regimes and every one of them came out of a failed experiment with democracy. That could happen here.

Time is proving me right, although I wish it weren't.

I'm sure there will be more news of attempts like this in the weeks and months to come. If I find out about it, I'll report it. Stay tuned.