Conspiracy to kill anyone is illegal. However, when you read the article it isn’t evident, especially the first news releases. All read is white conservative Christain males, and how they belong to a militia. The way many of the articles regarding this story are written, seem to hold white conservative gun holding Christain males in utter contempt. Basically a complete racial profile, and they seem to tie it in with tea parties.
The articles regarding this story seem to focus more on the media’s prejudice against white conservative Christain males, rather than the actual facts of the case.
Unlike some, I don’t expect early stories about breaking news to be comprehensive and accurate. When all the reporters knew was the identity of those apprehended, but not the why, all we got was identity - go figure. In this case, the only meaningful description was their religious & military affinity, so that’s what we heard.
...and, like many posters here and elsewhere, those talking most about breaking news have a high chance of holding those involved in utter contempt, tying the incident to whatever group they despise.