The far-right militia conspirators plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also discussed abducting Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, the FBI said. It’s an unsurprising, yet still terrifying, turn of events given the rhetoric used by President Trump against both governors in recent months.

Whitmer herself has said the way they’ve been targeted by the president has fanned the flames of hate. For example, at the height of the anti-social distancing protests organized by conservative groups earlier this year, Trump tweeted “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” and “LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!” (FYI, the Second Amendment is not under siege.)

For the men accused in this case, a call to liberate the states was a call to take violent, criminal action. It’s no different from the message Trump gave the Proud Boys on debate night. After all, the language of violence is all he knows.