(WWJ) A spokesperson for the Michigan Attorney General's Office has confirmed that two armed men seen in the Michigan Senate gallery last spring (first and third on from the left) were among 13 charged in a plot to kidnap and possibly kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The photo, tweeted by Senator Dayna Polehanki on April 30, was one of several that went viral on social media after demonstrators brought long guns into the Capitol, and brandished their weapons as they shouted at lawmakers on the chamber floor. "Directly above me, men with rifles yelling at us. Some of my colleagues who own bullet proof vests are wearing them," Sen. Polehanki wrote.
The situation prompted a frightened Polehanki to call for a ban on guns in the building, and keep a bulletproof vest under her desk.
“Intimidating legislators, staff, and visitors with guns during session is an affront to the democratic process,” Sen. Polehanki said.
The man on the right in the photo is William Null, 38, of Shelbyville, the AG's office said. He faces a 20-year felony charge of providing material support for terrorist acts in plot against Whitmer.
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Polehanki, who was told by some she was "overreacting" at the time, now says the terror plot uncovered by the FBI shows her fears of a dangerous situation were legitimate.
On Thursday, Polehanki renewed her call for a ban on guns in the Capitol. She and another Senator have introduced a bill that would get it done. "If not now, when?" she asked, speaking on the Senate floor. "We might not get a second chance like we had today."
Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey said that he's "having further conversations" with the Michigan Capitol Commission about a potential gun ban, but indicated he doesn't think increased security measures could adequately protect against the kind of threat the FBI is alleging.
Sen. Polehanki plans to speak to the commission — which sets the rules for the building — at a meeting next week.
Whitmer, who called those charged in the conspiracy "sick and depraved" is taking issue with the word "militias" to describe the groups involved. On Friday, the governor tweeted: "They're not 'militias.' They're domestic terrorists endangering their fellow Americans."
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