Guardians of the Free Republics Targets More than 30 Governors
Governors across the country are receiving letters from a group called Guardians of the free Republics claiming that if they do not leave office within three days, they will be removed, Homeland Security and FBI officials have confirmed to CBS News.
While more than 30 governors have received the letters, officials say they see "no immediate or credible threats of violence connected to the letters," CBS News correspondent Bob Orr reports.
Nevertheless, the Homeland Security Department and FBI issued a joint advisory cautioning state and local officials that the group could inspire or provoke violence from others, given that "they (the group) advocate for their views through the use, support, or facilitation of violence or illegal conduct."
One U.S. security official says the advisory was distributed "out of an abundance of caution to ensure that state and local partners have tools they need to recognize behaviors," Orr reports.
Guardians of the free Republics claims on its Web site it wants to "restore America" by peacefully dismantling parts of the government.
Governors whose offices have received the letter, the Associated Press reports, include Jennifer Granholm of Michigan, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Chet Culver of Iowa, Dave Heineman of Nebraska, Jim Gibbons of Nevada, and Gary Herbert of Utah, where officials stepped up security in response to the letter.
