Bond lowered for twin brothers charged in terrorist plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Many of the suspects in the alleged domestic terrorism plot to kidnap and kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have been fighting to be released or have their bonds lowered.

In court Wednesday, the Null brothers were hoping they might be released right away. The state said the Null brothers are a danger to police, elected officials and to the public. The judge agreed and made a surprise call that could lead to the brothers getting out of jail at any moment.

• Deep dive into the details of a scheme to kidnap Gov. Whitmer, hold her hostage
• Group plotting to kidnap Whitmer wanted to take her to Wisconsin for ‘trial’
• Leader of Whitmer abduction plot inspected bridge for where to plant explosives, FBI says

During the bond hearing for William and Michael Null -- both charged by the state with supporting terrorism -- attorney Tom Siver asked for the twins to be released immediately.

The two brothers were up north with the group of men charged with plotting against the governor, but Siver said the two never left Cadillac.

“You could dismiss this case today and release them,” Siver said. “They never left the town of Cadillac.”

The attorney general’s office said the brothers were being driven to surveil the governor’s summer home by an undercover officer and an informant -- also in the car -- recorded -- the brothers when they said they didn’t want to turn back.

The judge at first denied the request to lower the $250,000 bond for the brothers, and then quickly agreed to change that to a 10% cash surety bond. The judge said if and when the brothers post bond, they will be on a GPS tether, they can work but cannot go anywhere near the governor.

Previous coverage

• Original story: FBI uncovers plan to kidnap Gov. Whitmer as hostage, overthrow Michigan government, feds say
  • Friday update: Everything we knew about the case as of Friday (Oct. 9)
• Full plot timeline: Deep dive into the details of a scheme to kidnap Whitmer, hold her hostage
• Plot specifics:
  • FBI: Group plotting to kidnap Whitmer wanted to take her to Wisconsin for ‘trial’
  • Leader of plot inspected bridge for where to plant explosives, FBI says
  • Unpacking secret encrypted messages between men involved in alleged Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plot
• Whitmer responds: Here’s what Whitmer said about group of Michiganders’ plot to kidnap her
• Mugshots: View the mugshots for all 13 people officially charged in the case
• “Milita” vs. Domestic terrorism: Whitmer says, ‘They’re not militias. They’re domestic terrorists’
• Boogaloo connection: Kidnapping suspects linked to ‘boogaloo’ anti-government movement
• From first day in court (Oct. 13):
  • FBI: Domestic terror group plotting against Whitmer also discussed kidnapping Virginia governor
  • 3 men signed up, trained, plotted ways to kill Whitmer, according to FBI testimony
  • Domestic terror plot leader wanted to leave Whitmer on boat in middle of Lake Michigan, FBI says
  • How attorneys plan to defend men accused in kidnapping plot
• From second day in court (Oct. 16):
  • Defense questions whether domestic terror group would have gone through with plan