LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, issued the following statement Thursday after the FBI announced it thwarted a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and overthrow the government:

“I am shocked and appalled to learn about the alleged plot exposed by law enforcement to decapitate our state government by kidnapping our governor and holding an extrajudicial trial.

“These actions have no place in our civil society. The only legitimate means of changing our government is through free and fair elections — not through violence.

“I applaud the work of the FBI in investigating this conspiracy. I pray for the safety of our governor and her family, and I look forward to working collaboratively with my partners across the aisle on important legislation going forward.”