(Reuters) – The four men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer were not just talking, but plotting an attack that would ignite a second American Civil War, a prosecutor stated in Friday’s closing arguments.

Nils Kessler, Assistant U.S. attorney described Whitmer and the other defendants as “paranoid and filled with rage”, as they plotted to kidnap Whitmer. Whitmer was the one they claimed they were blaming for the imposition of restrictions on business and social activities in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kessler demanded that the jury convict Whitmer. He argued that they would be within their rights protest Whitmer’s policies and make speeches or attend protests – freedoms that Kessler said set the United States apart from other nations.

Kessler, a federal judge in Grand Rapids said, “But we cannot do that. We can’t kidnap, kill or blow up.” That’s what America is known for, and it makes America different from other places.

Kessler is followed by closing arguments of the lawyers for defendants: Barry Croft Jr. Barry Caserta, Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta – who have all been charged with conspiring to kidnap Democratic Governor.

Robert Jonker, U.S. District Judge, will close arguments and present the case to a jury of twelve people. The jury will decide whether defendants engaged in idle talk, as defense claims, or if they had a plan to rob the governor shortly before 2020’s elections.

Except for Caserta, all the other defendants are charged with conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against property or persons. Croft, Harris also face firearms-related charges.

The men can spend their entire lives behind bars if convicted. Each of the kidnapping and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction cases carry a maximum sentence.

The plot was initially brought to the attention of two other men, who later agreed to plea bargains. Ty Garbin, Kalen Franks and Whitmer were the star witnesses. They wanted to show that Whitmer was planning to enter Whitmer’s northern Michigan vacation home, tie her up and then take her to court on treason allegations over her COVID-19 mandates.

Garbin currently serves a 6-year sentence. Franks awaits sentencing.

Fourteen men were taken into custody in October 2020, and they are facing federal or state charges in connection with the kidnapping scheme. Seventeen of the men are being charged in state court.

FBI claimed it started tracking movements of group after viewing online discussion posts that discussed the violent overthrows of certain state governments.

Kessler stated that the group was formed to eliminate pandemic restrictions and to spark another American civil war. This is what binds these people.”

Harris, Caserta, and an undercover witness who was identified as Big Dan at the trial were all members of the Wolverine Watchmen militia group, according to prosecutors. Croft, Fox and a member of the “Three Percenters”, a far-right group.

Big Dan, as a witness, stated that he left the Watchmen after discussing the killing of police officers. According to the Detroit Free Press.

One or more defendants are accused of talking about Whitmer’s kidnapping, and of planning to meet up in Wisconsin to practice assault rifles. Posts also mentioned buying supplies for the kidnapping, and placing Whitmer’s vacation house under surveillance.

According to the indictment, Fox purchased explosives worth $4,000 from an FBI undercover agent pretending to be a conspirator. Indictment stated Fox and Harris also made payments to Harris for the explosives over the weeks that followed.