co-opt

Appoint summarily or commandeer.

“The army tried to co-opt peasants into civil defence groups”

Choose or elect as a fellow member or colleague.

“The church members co-opted individuals from similar backgrounds to replenish the congregation”

Neutralize or win over through assimilation into an established group.

“We co-opted the independent minority tribes by pulling them into the Northern Alliance”

Take or assume for one's own use.

“He co-opted the criticism and embraced it”