Man sentenced to 16 years in prison for plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer


A man convicted of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) was sentenced on Tuesday to 16 years in prison.
Adam Fox, 39, was convicted by a jury this past August of conspiracy. According to prosecutors, Fox and a number of far-right co-conspirators had attempted to kidnap Whitmer from her home in 2020 in an effort to start a national uprising. Court documents obtained by The New York Times showed that Fox had called Whitmer a "tyrant," argued against her statewide COVID-19 restrictions, and pushed for a second American revolution.
Prosecutors went on to describe Fox as a threat to democracy, and the trial against him became one of the most-watched cases of domestic terrorism in the country.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Fox was facing up to life in prison for his actions, a sentence that prosecutors had pushed for. However, while U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker agreed that Fox was guilty of "incredibly serious activity," per the Times, he told the court, "I don't think life is needed to achieve the important public deterrent factors," and handed down his 16-year decision.
Prosecutors, though, disagreed with the judge's sentiment.
"The problem is this defendant, he's going to go into jail and probably emerge more radicalized than when he went in and will remain a danger to the public," Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler said, per NBC News.
Despite this, officials maintained they were happy that Fox was going behind bars.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
"Today's sentencing sends a clear message that domestic terrorism will not be tolerated," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement.
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
French finances: what’s behind country’s debt problem?
The Explainer Political paralysis has led to higher borrowing costs and blocked urgent deficit-reducing reforms to social protection
-
Climate change is getting under our skin
Under the radar Skin conditions are worsening because of warming temperatures
-
Crossword: October 14, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats