The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) thwarted an attempt to oust the Michigan state government and abduct its governor, Gretchen Whitmer, a federal affidavit revealed.

Six men were charged federally with conspiracy to kidnap, and seven other people, associated with the militia group "Wolverine Watchmen," were charged by the state, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.

The group aimed to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat who has traded barbs with Republican President Donald Trump over her response to the coronavirus pandemic, ahead of the presidential election on November 3, according to a criminal complaint.

Due to her coronavirus response efforts and decision to issue stay-at-home orders, Whitmer has been the target of multiple death threats. In April, protesters and militia gathered at the state Capitol for a rally, gridlocking the streets to call for the governor to lift her stay-at-home order, CNN reported. 

Whitmer was reported to have become a lightning rod for coronavirus skeptics after enacting strict mitigation measures that were overturned by a judge last week.

One of the suspects is quoted by the FBI as saying Whitmer "has no checks and balances at all. She has uncontrolled power right now. All good things must come to an end."

"Hatred, bigotry and violence have no place" in Michigan, Whitmer said, describing the accused as "depraved".

Four of the suspects had planned "make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear," according to the FBI.

The plot to overthrow the administration involved reaching out to a militia group.

One of the conspirators, Adam Fox, is alleged to have said he needed 200 men to attack the Capitol building in Lansing and take hostages, including the governor.

Fox said he wanted to try Whitmer for "treason" and would execute the plan before the November 3 election, according to FBI.

Informants and undercover agents were used by the authorities to foil the plot.

The arrests are likely to draw additional attention to the political tensions roiling the nation in the closing weeks of the 2020 election season, and underline warnings from law enforcement officials, members of Congress and groups that track extremism about the increasing threat of extremist and far-right groups. 

(With input from agencies)