FBI Warns U.S. Governors on Extremist Group Letters
More than 30 governors have received threats in the last week.
April 2, 2010— -- In the past week over 30 state governors have received letters from an anti-government group demanding their resignations or they could be "removed."
The letters allegedly came from a group called the Guardians of the Free Republics.
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security issued an intelligence note about the mailings and said that while there was no specific threat linked to the letters, "law enforcement should be aware that this could be interpreted as a justification for violence or other criminal actions."
The intelligence note issued on Wednesday was sent to 18,000 law enforcement agencies around the United States. The FBI has also advised all 50 governors they could be receiving the letters, in addition to the 30-35 that have already received them.
The group that allegedly sent the letters states on its Web site that they have a plan to "Restore America" which includes, "a bold achievable strategy for behind-the-scenes peaceful reconstruction of the de jure institutions of government without controversy, violence or civil war. After consultation with high ranking members of the United States armed forces, the Plan is in the process of assembling the Guardians of the Free Republics." The site contains complaints about taxes and the IRS as well.
Federal law enforcement officials said that the letters were non-threatening in nature, but made demands for their resignations. One DHS official said that some of the letters claim the group will commandeer government offices if the governors don't resign, and an FBI official said the letter discussed the governors being "removed."
Anti-Government Groups Raising Tensions
Asked about why the note was issued, a DHS official said, "The FBI and DHS are not aware of any immediate or credible threats. Although no specific information to indicate violence is intended as part of this plan, the bulletin was shared with federal, state, local and tribal partners to ensure they are equipped the tools they need to better recognize behaviors and other indicators consistent with homeland security threats to prevent violence or criminal acts."
The letters from the Guardians of the Free Republics is the latest anti-government group to make headlines.
Earlier this week, federal officails arrested nine members of a Christian extremist group named Hutaree. According to court documents, the militia wanted to spark a "war" with federal officers. They planned to kill a police officer and then attack the officer's funeral.
In February, a Texas man facing tax problems wrote a anti-government manifesto and then flew his plane into an Austin office complex that housed offices of the Internal Revenue Services where 200 people worked. One IRS employe was killed and the building was destroyed.