Anti-Islam activist threatens to ‘arrest’ Stabenow

Washington — An anti-Islam activist in Arizona is threatening to “arrest” Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, for treason for voting to support the Iran nuclear deal.

Jon Ritzheimer says he is targeting Stabenow first because of his group’s “strong ties” to the Michigan militia and because of the state's “lax gun laws that will allow us to operate in a manner necessary for an operation like this,” he informed supporters in a message that they posted on Facebook.

Ritzheimer said, after detaining Stabenow, his group would continue across the country arresting “everyone involved with the Iran Nuke Deal.”

Stabenow’s office declined to comment. U.S. Capitol Police is aware of the threat and working with local law enforcement in Michigan on the matter, spokeswoman Capt. Kimberly Schneider said by email.

Ritzheimer reportedly came to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s attention earlier this year for organizing an anti-Muslim rally and “draw Muhammad” cartoon contest at a mosque in the Phoenix area.

Lou Vondette of the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia disavowed any involvement in Ritzheimer’s plans to CQ Roll Call.

“We know of no militia in Michigan that is participating in these actions. Also, we do not appreciate armed out-of-state groups invading Michigan and throwing around the ‘Michigan Militia’ name as participants,” Vondette told the publication, saying he had communicated with eight other militia groups in the state.

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