FBI’s Role Questioned as Trump Considers Pardons in Whitmer Kidnapping Case [WATCH]

President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is open to reviewing possible pardons for two men convicted in the 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, Trump responded to a question regarding the sentences of Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr., both of whom are currently serving lengthy prison terms in connection with the foiled plot.

“I’m going to look at it. I will take a look at it. It’s been brought to my attention,” Trump said.

“I did watch the trial. It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job, I’ll be honest with you. It looked to me like some people said some stupid things, you know they were drinking, and I think they said stupid things.”

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Trump added that he had heard from people across the political spectrum regarding the fairness of the trial.

“A lot of people are asking me that question, from both sides actually. A lot of people think they got railroaded. A lot of people think they got railroaded and probably some people don’t,” he said.

Q: “Will you pardon the people who are accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer””

President Trump: “I will take a look at it. It’s been brought to my attention. I did watch the trial. It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job.” pic.twitter.com/sO5dkFu5Vh

— CSPAN (@cspan) May 28, 2025

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Fox and Croft were arrested and charged as part of a broader FBI investigation into what authorities described as a domestic terrorism plot to kidnap the Michigan governor.

The arrests came during the fall of 2020, at the height of COVID-19 lockdowns and political tension surrounding pandemic-related restrictions.

According to prosecutors, the group planned to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation residence and transport her across state lines.

Prosecutors alleged that the men also acquired weapons and discussed using explosives to disable infrastructure, including a bridge.

Adam Fox was convicted and sentenced in 2022 to 16 years in federal prison.

He was found guilty on two conspiracy counts, including conspiring to kidnap a government official and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction.

Barry Croft Jr., convicted on similar charges, received a 19-year prison sentence.

Prosecutors said Croft had helped build an unregistered explosive device and played a central role in the group’s planning and coordination.

Defense attorneys for the men argued that the plot was heavily influenced by FBI informants and undercover agents, accusing the government of entrapment.

Earlier this year, both Fox and Croft appealed their convictions, asserting that federal agents had encouraged them to move forward with actions they otherwise would not have pursued.

The appeals were denied.

In their decision, federal judges found that the evidence showed Fox was an active participant who had not been coerced.

“Fox proposed kidnapping the governor. He proposed, planned, and participated in both reconnaissance trips to Governor Whitmer’s home,” the opinion read.

“Those are hardly the actions of a reluctant innocent who has unwarily been hoodwinked into criminal behavior by a government agent.”

The Justice Department has not commented on Trump’s remarks.

Neither Fox’s nor Croft’s legal teams have publicly responded to the president’s statement as of Wednesday evening.

The plot against Whitmer drew national attention in 2020 and was cited by law enforcement officials as a serious case of domestic terrorism.

However, the role of undercover agents and informants in the investigation has remained a point of contention throughout the proceedings.

Just before the 2020 election, the FBI announced it had thwarted an alleged plot to kidnap the Michigan governor.

A jury found that the FBI had actually entrapped at least 2 of the defendants.

Is this how the DOJ carries out its operations? The American people deserve to know. pic.twitter.com/ZcjGtwKWtC

— Rep. Dan Bishop (@RepDanBishop) July 28, 2022

Trump has previously issued pardons and commutations in high-profile cases, and his comments suggest that he may now consider adding Fox and Croft’s cases to that list.

No official decision has been announced.

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