Thread by @julie_kelly2

Good morning! Whitmer "kidnapping" trial already underway. FBI Agent under cross-ex by Chris Gibbons, Adam Fox's atty. Most of the evidence so far consists of Facebook videos posted on Fox's account.

FBI agent confirms informants infiltrated chat groups and gave FBI access.

FBI agent explains how CHSs are retained. No signed agreement required?

FBI uses a code name to arrange payments. Agent says CHSs do not have to submit receipts to FBI to obtain reimbursements. This seems extremely sloppy if true.

Agent explains how FBI hires CHS--it's alarming

CHSs are paid cash only. FBI runs background check on CHS but not a credit check. Agent only has to tell supervisor what the CHS will do and maybe CHS motivation for approval

FBI gives general orders and admonishments--also furnishes recording devices. Some look like key fobs.

CHSs can't commit a crime without "permission" by the FBI.

Btw this is not the FBI special agent who handled the case--he was fired after he assaulted his wife last summer following a swingers' party.

2 other FBI agents who handled informants were also removed from the case.

The judge also ordered defense not to discuss why Richard Trask, the lead agent, was fired or why Henrik Impola and Jayson Chambers, the two main FBI handlers, also were removed from the government's witness list.

Agent struggles to explain why FBI thought defendants planned...

to buy explosives, which justified FBI onboarding another undercover FBI agent named "Red" from whom defendants would buy explosive material.

This was the set-up for their arrest on Oct 7, 2020.

CHS drove defendants to arrest site to buy materials, supposed to cost $4k BUT

no one had any money. CHS Dan told them "Red" had equipment to give the defendants.

WHOA--agent says it's "possible" a pole cam was set up AT WHITMER'S COTTAGE.

Pole cams set up at all excursion sites.

SO the FBI planted a pole cam at Whitmer's cottage to record surveillance missions planned by the FBI.

Wonder if anyone will press Whitmer on this.

Pole cam feeds live video to FBI. Atty asks agent about accuracy of time stamps, etc. Also used license plate readers at one site

Atty asking about pickup trucks driving on to Ty Garbin's property in Luther late at night.

FBI used drones and an AIRPLANE to surveil properties including perhaps Whitmer's cottage. They started using planes in April 2020.

This is insane. I am laughing it's so absurd.

Defense asking about "multi-level" approval at FBI to open a case and authorize use of planes, drones, etc.

Dispute as to when cases opened--defense thinks mid March 2020, agent says early April 2020. Planes used immediately on setup sites.

WHAT DID BILL BARR KNOW ABOUT THIS?

Atty asking FBI agent about 302s related to pole cams at one site. Asking again about pickup trucks entering Luther property.

Atty brings up name "Alex Davidson" driving there on 9/12. Not sure where this is going--jumps to another subject. Building up something about the trucks

FBI agent confirms CHS Dan is only supposed to be a "listening board" and not guide behavior.

Morning break - one more defense atty cross-ex of agents after that.

I can't imagine DOJ thinks this is going well for them.

We're back. Atty brings up Trump's "Liberate Michigan" tweet related to lockdown stress.

Atty talking about protest at Lansing Capitol in April 2020--FBI agent agrees it was lawful and protected activity.

LOL.

A reminder that the Lansing "storming of Capitol" was warmup to J6

Atty asking how long it takes to vet a CHS. "Days," the FBI agent says.

Going thru how CHSs are paid--CHS is expected to sign receipts for each payment incl expenses such as laptops. CHS Dan got a new laptop.

FBI also bought CHS Dan new tires and a smart watch.

Walking thru...

what CHSs are allowed and not allowed to do.

CHS Dan's was admonished not to come up with ideas, "attack plans."

FBI agent again confirms agency had access thru Dan to all encrypted chats with defendants.

Now on to arrest on Oct 2020 atty describes as a "ruse" to get "gear."

AUSA (prosecutor) back up. Reiterating that possessing a legal firearm, protesting at Capitol, belonging to militia wouldn't prompt FBI to open case but threats would justify investigation.

Reiterating whereabouts of all defendants at each trip.

Agent confirms CHS Dan vetted...

members of the Wolverine Watchmen, seemed to take cues from his FBI handlers. Judge interrupts.

(Sorry, back to defense attys)

Witness dismissed. DOJ calls FBI agent Leslie Larsen. She's a laser mapping expert--uses a scanner to capture activities. FBI uses handheld scanners.

FBI used scanners at Whitmer's vacation cottage in Elk Rapids, MI. It is WAY north in Michigan, past Traverse City.

So her home was surveilled by a pole camera and scanners. Also scanned bridge near her home defendants allegedly wanted to blow up.

Showing replicas we can't see.

Next witness: FBI Agent Christopher Long from Baltimore office. (This investigation involved several FBI offices.)

He's been investigating Barry Croft since 2019 for posting "anti-government, anti-law enforcement rhetoric on his Facebook page and actively shooting weapons."

Long now talks about June 2020 meeting in Dublin, OH. This was organized by CHS Steve. His handler was in WI FBI office.

Long drove 8 hours to Ohio to meet CHS Steve to give him recording device and show CHS Steve how to use it.

This was the "militia conference" setup by FBI

Long met CHS Steve in a parking lot in Dublin and CHS Steve returned it to Long later that evening.

Plays recording of ppl at Dublin meeting. "We are at war." Lots of talk of Antifa. This was June 6, 2020, right after the Floyd riots.

One man is very emotional, don't know who

Americans should be very happy that instead of investigating the groups, organizers of thousands of deadly, destructive riots, the FBI was setting up a bunch of misfits in a Dublin hotel.

Talk of founding fathers, 13 colonies, "we speak with the authority of our history."

Talk of insurgency, terrorism, blowing things up. Lots of angry talk, one man says he's not speaking hypothetically.

I can't tell who is speaking--if it's defendants or other participants or CHSs.

Fox talking about Whitmer, honestly it's very hard to discern who's saying what.

Back after break. More recordings of talk of explosives. Sounds like Croft is doing more of the talking--this is in July in Cambria, WI.

"I need explosives," Croft says. I don't know who else is with him--CHS Steve for sure is there. Maybe CHS Jenny bc I hear woman's voice.

Croft "while all this is going on we grab a governor."

"Swift, precise grab on that governor, Whitmer."

Talking about snipers "dropping" her armed guards.

Now mtg in Luther, MI in 9/20. Croft talks about "propulsion" of pennies used in a device (I think?)

Sound of something being detonated.

Croft, a truck driver, arrested on Oct 7, 2020 at a NJ gas station. He was not at the setup site in Ypsilanti where the others were arrested.

FBI found a receipt for "commercial grade" fireworks in Croft's car--FBI agent repurchased items

and brought them to Quantico to test if they could be used in an explosive device.

Plays interview with Croft explaining when they tested explosive in MI.

Defense up: FBI says it reviewed Croft's FB posts and messages he was planning "something unknown" so FBI got a warrant

to retrieve his messages on FB. FBI again confirms it was watching Croft bc of his "outward appearances of anti-government anti-law enforcement sentiment."

Back to June mtg at Drury Inn in Dublin, atty asking who paid for room. (It was CHS Steve.) FBI agent doesn't know.

Atty cross-ex FBI agent about explosive detonated. Agent said recording didn't capture sound of explosion in Cambria WI that Croft was talking about.

Agent: "I could not testify to whether it detonated. I was not there."

Back to Dublin mtg. It was Croft who was crying.

Defense asking FBI about convo btw Croft and CHS Steve about explosives.

*interruption*

Judge instructs jury to remain openminded during 3-day weekend. "Don't feel pressured to pull it all together just yet." Also asks jurors not to Google terms or information.

Back Monday!