matt shea rep

wow 1st to tick ALL the boxes?

see COWS

see bak

finchem

SEE BUNDY MALHEUR

SEE OATHKEPERS RHODES

3% MILITIA

[who was rev that erased links to idaho pride militia arrested?]

firoe pal grift crimes

see joey gibson patriot prayer

July 18, 2024 rww

Glenn Beck is teaming up with Moms For Liberty to get his new novel placed in school libraries across the country.
Oklahoma state Sen. Dusty Deevers fumes over “the removal of Christian morality from the RNC platform”: “We must look forward, continue to minimize Neo-Cons, and influence the New Right with abolitionist and Christian Nationalist principles.”
Stew Peters is equally outraged about the “Hindu prayer, Satanic seance, demonic oppression nonsense” that took place at the RNC.
White nationalist Vincent James says the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump will help him with Black voters because “if anything is gonna get the Black vote, it’s getting shot at right after you just got convicted of multiple felonies.”
Finally, Matt Shea claims that the U.S. had “less casualties than every other country” during World War II because of prayer. (We’d argue that the fact that the war took place almost entirely overseas and raged for years before the U.S. even joined probably had something to do with that.)

June 13, 2024 rww

Sean Feucht has filed a lawsuit against the city of Spokane for criticizing the former mayor for speaking at an event with him and radical right-wing pastor Matt Shea, declaring, “I won’t sit quietly and let these anti-Christian bigots get away with persecuting Christians for exercising our Constitutional Rights. So I filed a lawsuit. I’m taking them to court. Their anti-Christian bigotry has gone too far.”

Parents and local activists are outraged over Kandiss Taylor’s “‘racist and sad’ online behavior.”
Self-proclaimed “prophetess” Kat Kerr, who repeatedly guaranteed that Trump would win the 2020 election, still refuses to accept the results, claiming that hundreds of thousands of Trump ballots are still being found: “They even shot down a Black Hawk helicopter [carrying military ballots] so that they could never be counted.”
Rep. Matt Rosendale declares that First Lady Jill Biden “should be absolutely ashamed of herself”: “I think that she is guilty of elder abuse.”
After spreading the right-wing myth that schools are putting litter boxes in bathrooms for students who identify as cats, self-proclaimed “prophet” Hank Kunneman says that if former President Donald Trump is reelected, he must put “deliverance rooms in every single school” to cast the “liberal demons” out of teachers.
Finally, Lauren Chen asserts that if Trump is reelected, he must go “full-on scorched earth”: “I want him to be exactly the type person that the left fearmongers he could possibly be.”

bundy ranch cows

video says # state reps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dKbjzoGTVM&t=48s

ESA to steal property

fiore

war on rural am

REIMB FAIRFIELD MOTEL

PHOENIX, AZ $313.69

11/12/19

nov 30 2020

president Trump's personal lawyer spent many hours with a handful of Republican Arizona lawmakers at a downtown Phoenix hotel Monday discussing concerns with the 2020 election. Across town, as the meeting wore on,state officials officially certified the results showing the president lost.

Rudy Giuliani and state lawmakers billed the meeting as a "hearing," but it was not an official legislative event.

Outside the Hyatt Regency, several hundred Trump supporters filled Second Street between Adams and Monroe, where they waved flags, chanted, sold hats and other Trump merchandise, and showed their support for the president.

Downtown Phoenix was otherwise eerily quiet, as it has been for most of the pandemic.

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/rep-mark-finchem-was-arizona-coordinator-for-pro-militia-group-11498687

0ct 2020

state Representative Mark Finchem served as "Arizona Coordinator" for the Coalition of Western States, a group that supported the infamous armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon in 2016.

He's also recently communicated with individuals who were involved with the group, new emails show.

The Coalition of Western States (COWS) describes itself as a group of elected legislators and "grass roots leaders" in the Western United States "dedicated to stopping federal overreach" and the "bureaucratic terrorism" of the Bureau of Land Management, according to a December 2015 news release from the organization. The group publicly backed the Hammond family of Oregon ranchers, whosedispute with the federal government over public land management inspired the armed militia occupation of the Oregon wildlife refuge. Some members of COWS met with the militia members and fed them information.

The 2015 news release mentions Finchem, a Republican from Oro Valley, as an "Arizona Coordinator" alongside other controversial far-right politicians from Western states, like Idaho State Representative Heather Scott and Washington State Representative Matt Shea. In 2019, investigators hired by the Washington House of Representatives concluded that Shea had engaged in "domestic terrorism" during his involvement in the Oregon militia stand-off and "promoted" three "armed conflicts of political violence against the United States

https://www.meetmattshea.com/

has own wingnuttery tracker?!

no pix lnx etc vid

It’s hard to keep up on all the Matt Shea News.

So, here you go…

Note: This site is just excerpts and quotes from real news stories. You can’t make this stuff up.

URGENT NEWS: DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE TWO KEY POLITICIANS WITH DEEP TIES TO MATT SHEA UP FOR RE-ELECTION IN 2022? SPOKANE PROSECUTOR LARRY HASKELL AND US REP CATHY MCMORRIS RODGERS.LEARN MORE HERE.

Matt_Profile-Banner2-2-2.png

The latest:

31 Patriot Front members are arrested in CDA. Matt Shea immediately says they are Antifa. Turns out some of them are actually Matt’s buddies. Then he goes on to deny that too even though there is video of Matt handing the mic to one of them during an On Fire Ministries event.

Matt Shea blames Antifa for his buddy's actions.

Full story

Matt Shea in studio telling fibs

Full story

“The far-right former WA Representative has been quiet lately until he turned up last week at a hotel in Poland, surrounded by Ukrainian orphans.”

-Range Media

Read the full story.

KAZIMIERZ DOLNY, Poland – As bombs fell in Mariupol, an eastern Ukrainian city ravaged by Russian bombing, Spokane pastor and former legislator Matt Shea took part in a rescue mission for 62 orphans. In a video and post to Facebook on March 8, Shea said he could hear machine guns firing in the background as he talked to his “prospective daughters.”

“After reading his manifesto, what will happen to the children in the few weeks, months or years times?” asked Ziarnicka. “Why does he need these children for? What are they going to do in the United States?”

–Read the full story in the Spokesman Review

Should Matt Shea control the future of 60+ orphans?

Read the full story.

The best Matt Shea News we’ve ever been able to publish:

shea1.png

It’s official, Matt Shea will not be on the ballot in 2020, but he’s still a dangerous influence in our community. Stay vigilant friends, we cannot let religious extremism, fascism, and his unhinged fringe politics grow in our area. We need to support rational thinking policies that help our communities grow and prosper with compassion and respect for our common humanity.

Things to Keep an Eye On

There are concerned citizens of Spokane that believe Matt Shea spent campaign dollars on his way out of office to prop up John Birch Society, ACN (American Christian Network), and his own podcastand interests when he knows he’s not running for LD4 again. We’ve been informed there may be some PDC complaints to look into this. Here are some of his PDC forms for you to peruse on your own.

The one with Podbean Airline Reimbursement for Speaking Engagement

The one with Phoenix Hotel Charges

The one with Awards for Fundraiser

The one where Matt buys advertising in JBS Magazine

The one where Matt Shea buys 5000 John Birch Society Magazines

The one with Legal Fees

If you have any news on this please let us know.

https://pastormattshea.com/

my Vision is to see Jesus Christ glorified and His love spread to all people around the world. This is what Christians do.

My mission is to travel around the world to places like Ethiopia, Argentina, and Ukraine in a humanitarian role to help people in some of the most impoverished and desperate situations. This is what love looks like.

My objective is to protect the God-given unalienable rights to life, liberty, property, and ability to defend the same, of every human being regardless of ethnicity or socio-economic status. This brings true freedom.

LOWER TAXES, LESS GOVERNMENT, MORE FREEDOM

View my LinkedIn profile

Bio

Matthew Shea was born in 1974 in Spokane, Washington. His family had lived in Eastern Washington for four generations – his family ran one of the first stagecoaches in Washington. He lived in Spokane, attending both Pasadena and Ponderosa elementary schools, with his parents and brother until the age of 10 when the family moved to Bellingham where he graduated from high school. Matt was raised in the atmosphere of gratitude to America as a country of freedom. His father instilled in him a deep sense of patriotism and personal obligation to his country.

Matthew went to Gonzaga University, from which he graduated in 1996. Apart from a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science, he received a J.D. degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2006, from which he graduated cum laude. He began his Military service as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Gonzaga University in 1996, and finished in the top 3 of his Officer Basic Course class. Later, he was recognized as the top rated Captain in his Battalion. Matthew Shea served in the United States Army withtwo combat tours overseas, including eight months in Bosnia as a platoon leader, and eleven months in Baghdad, Iraq, as a company commander.

Matthew was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge among many other awards and commendations in the military. In his civilian life he was awarded the National Security Eagle Award in 2015 “In recognition of exemplary courage and statesmanship in defense of America’s security and freedoms.” This was awarded specifically for his work countering and exposing terrorism in the United States of America.

All of his awards, commendations, certifications, and licenses are listed on his linked in page.

Pastor Matt Shea

On Fire Ministries

www.linkedin.com/in/repmattshea

62 kids

...Shea did not respond to comment requests.

Speaking on a Polish television show, Shea said he was working with Texas group Loving Families and Homes for Orphans.

The group registered with the Texas secretary of state in 2018. No such group is registered as an adoption agency with the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and it's not registered with the organization that oversees American agencies involved in international adoption.

Kazimierz Dolny Mayor Artur Pomianowski said the case is being investigated

wiki 8 22 see below

Controversies[

In 2011, as part of the process to replace Washington State Senator Bob McCaslin, background information about Shea included allegations of angry outbursts at Shea's legislative office and that he was disarmed by a commander while he served in Iraq due to anger management issues.^[34] Despite Shea being endorsed by the Executive Board of Spokane County's Republican Party,^[35] the county commissioners selected businessman Jeff Baxter.^[36]

Differences in views between Shea and Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, also a Republican, resulted inShea contending that "the Southern Poverty Law Center—and the sheriff (Knezovich) that backs them—is the most dangerous organization in this country".^[37]

Shea has often clashed with journalists, referring to reporters as "dirty, godless, hateful people" at an August 2018 gun-rights rally.^[38] He refers to local newspapers as the "Socialist-Review" (Spokesman-Review) and the "Inslander" (Inlander), the latter referring to Jay Inslee.^[39] Shea's contentious history with the press attracted attention because he was, as of August 2018, one of eight state legislators on a Washington Legislature task force dealing with state public records laws and exemptions to them.^[38]

"Biblical Basis for War" manifesto[

In late October 2018, Shea acknowledged that he had distributed a document described as a "four-page manifesto" titled Biblical Basis for War that listed strategies that a "Holy Army" could employ. The document, consisting of 14 sections divided into bullet points, had a section on "rules of war" that stated "make an offer of peace before declaring war", which within stated that the enemy must "surrender on terms" of no abortions, no same-sex marriage, no communism and "must obey Biblical law", then continued: "If they do not yield — kill all males". Shea acknowledged the document and claimed that it was a summary of "biblical sermons on war."^[3][4][40]

The Spokesman-Review reported: "After the document was leaked online Tuesday [10/23/18], the Spokane Valley Republican insisted he was not promoting violence and that the message had been taken out of context. 'First of all, it was a summary of a series of sermons on biblical war in the Old Testament as part of a larger discussion on the history of warfare.' Shea said in a Facebook Live video. 'This document, in and of itself, was not a secret. I’ve actually talked about portions of this document publicly.'"^[41] Sheriff Knezovich alerted the FBI to the manifesto and said that the statements made in the manifesto are consistent with a racist, anti-Semitic, and white supremacist ideology known as Christian Identity, which seeks to establish a "white homeland" in the US northwest.^[4][5]

Violent right-wing chat group[

In April 2019, The Guardian [guk] published records from a right-wing chat group of four people that Shea participated in, where Shea used an alias of ‘True Warrior’ in Latin. Other members in the chat group discussed carrying out surveillance, intimidation and violent attacks on political enemies, including Antifa activists and "communists." Shea himself volunteered to conduct background checks on residents of Spokane, resulting in Shea naming three individuals. One of the chat group's members forwarded the information to The Guardian, while another confirmed the existence of the chats and acknowledged the discussion on conducting surveillance on "Antifa" people.^[42] The Guardian published a second set of emails in August that tied Shea to an organization called Team Rugged, which aimed to train young men for "biblical warfare".^[43][44]

Political violence[

An investigation commissioned by Washington House of Representatives reported, on December 1, 2019, that Shea had planned and participated in domestic terrorism on at least three occasions. This included his participation, organizing, planning, and promotion of the 2014 Bundy standoff in Nevada, the 2015 armed standoff in Priest River, Idaho, and the 2016 armed seizure of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon.^[8] Shea led a delegation of right-wing legislators from Oregon, Washington and Idaho that met with law enforcement on January 9, 2016, in Burns, Oregon and were appraised of confidential intended law enforcement strategies for dealing with the refuge occupiers. Shea then disclosed those details to Bundy, according to the report.^[45]

On December 19, 2019, Shea was accused of domestic terrorism in a report released by the Washington State House of Representatives.^[46] House leadership forwarded the report to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington and the FBI.^[10] Sheriff Knezovich stated that he believed there was enough evidence "to charge Shea with domestic terrorism, if not treason."^[47] The sheriff also stated that he was worried that arresting Shea would lead to an armed standoff, and that he had contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding this concern.^[47][45] Shea issued a statement to local news station KREM saying he had "been denied any opportunity to review and respond to its results which are still unknown to me."^[48] That day, he wrote in a Facebook post: "Like we are seeing with our President this is a sham investigation meant to silence those of us who stand up against attempts to disarm and destroy our great country. I will not back down, I will not give in, I will not resign."^[48][49]

Shea was stripped of committees and suspended from having any role in the House Republican caucus. House Republican leader J.T. Wilcox called on him to resign.^[10][50]

On January 09, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee called on Shea to resign. "The people of Spokane deserve better", Inslee said.^[51]

Oil on Capitol steps[

In May 2020, Shea was fined $4,761.34 for damaging historic masonry by intentionally leaving a trail of slick olive oil on the steps of the Capitol. According to a Department of Enterprise Services report, the oil stain was about 100 feet long. The incident occurred on March 6, 2020, which was the same day as a demonstration by the Satanic Temple of Washington, and Shea stated he needed to clean the ground after the Satanic ritual.^[52] According to the leader of The Satanic Temple Lucien Greaves, "If Mr. Shea is so offended by our First Amendment guarantees that he finds it impossible to accept public religious expression that does not align with his own, then I hope the people of Washington will demand his immediate resignation." Hemant Mehta agrees with Greaves and adds "If he cared about Washington more than himself, he would have resigned a long time ago. It’s not too late."^[53]

North Idaho speech[

At an event in North Idaho less than a month after the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Shea called for his followers to prepare for "total war" against their enemies, claimed the election was stolen from Donald Trump, and engaged in Islamophobic rhetoric, saying that during the Battle of Tours in 732, "The Army of Islam would go into churches and rape all the nuns on the altar until there were no more virgins left and then they'd start in on the boys."^[54]

Ukrainian children[

In March 2022, Shea was discovered in Poland with a group of 62 Ukrainian refugee children, claiming to be arranging their adoption via an unregistered and unaccredited American adoption agency.^[55]

Road rage[

In November 2011, Shea "pulled a gun during a confrontation with another motorist" in what police reports described as an incident of road rage. Shea was initially charged with possessing a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a concealed weapons permit; the charge was ultimately resolved under a "stipulated order of continuance," in which "Shea paid a $75 fee and agreed that the information in the police report is correct" and the charge was dismissed after the passage of one year with no criminal violations.^[56]

opb sum:

recently released 108-page investigation detailing Washington state Rep. Matt Shea's connections to militia groups and extremist activities has prompted his own caucus to exile him and the House Republican leader to call for Shea's resignation.

In response, Shea took to Facebook to denounce the investigation as a "sham" and declare: "I will not back down, I will not give in, I will not resign." Shea has also said that all of his communications have been lawful.

The top-line conclusions of the investigation are that Shea is a prominent leader in the Patriot Movement, played a role in planning three armed conflicts in the American West, including the 2016 takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, and that his actions have put law enforcement officers in danger of political violence.

Buried in the report are a number of details and revelations that give readers an inside look at how Shea reportedly operates behind the scenes. It’s a world of code names, encrypted communications and military-style directives.

Here are 15 easily-missed excerpts:

Role In Armed Standoffs

“Between April 12-14, 2014, Representative Shea met with other elected officials from Washington, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona at Bunkerville, Nevada, who gathered in support of the Bundy family’s resistance to a federal court order and developed a strategy for leadership over future Patriot Movement armed resistance against the federal government by creating the Coalition of Western States (COWS).”

“Representative Shea in his leadership role as Chairman of the Coalition of Western States (COWS) along with [a] Washington militia leader and other members of COWS beginning around early November 2015 through January 2, 2016, engaged in conversations with Ammon Bundy and other militia members in the planning and preparation of the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns, Oregon.”

[feedimage: left,image-full,5dfd5a72c83265374592e451,https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/sites/northwestnews/files/201601/shea.jpg]

Military-Style Plans And Intelligence

“Representative Shea on or about January 3, 2016, created a detailed military styled operation plan Entitled ‘Operation Cold Reality’ that included roles and responsibilities of COWS members and militia leadership in support of the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County Oregon.”

“Representative Shea on January 4, 2016 through the use of email and using codename ‘Verumbellator,’ covertly disseminated information to … State Representatives from Washington, Idaho, and Nevada, and to Patriot Movement militia leaders and others, that detailed and warned of specific law enforcement operations and actions in response to the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County Oregon.”

Sensitive Law Enforcement Information

"Representative Shea, via his private email account in the name of ‘Verumbellator’ sent a document … entitled, ‘Apparatus of Repression’ … The document attached to Representative Shea’s email detailed extensive law enforcement confidential information laying out the command and control structure of Washington state law enforcement agencies. The document was over 250 pages long and contained rosters of local FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) agents, SWAT team member lists complete with names and badge numbers and the Joint Harbor Operations Command (JI-IOC) building schematics. The document also included the names and home information of FBI, DHS, and Washington State Patrol agents, photos of SWAT teams, street surveillance cameras, aircraft and communications equipment used by law enforcement in Washington. In Representative Shea’s email he said he dug deep on the web to find the document. The document, as stated by Representative Shea, was to be used ‘to validate and check out agents from law enforcement agencies who may attempt to contact us…’”

Role In Patriot Movement

“This investigation determined Representative Shea is an active and influential leader of the Patriot Movement in the US. He supports the movement and its causes and at times is an active participant in organizing and carrying out demonstrations against state and federal government activities. He has on occasion organized and directed armed confrontations with law enforcement officers.”

“Representative Shea is a self-professed member of the Patriot Movement and although Representative Shea is not believed to consider himself a member of a militia, he is closely associated with several militia groups, their activities, and prominent militia members. He is also closely associated with the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA) and Marble Community Fellowship; two organizations closely aligned with the Patriot Movement.”

Marble Country Connection

“[Marble Community Fellowship] is a church founded by pastors and married couple Barry and Anne Byrd, who Representative Shea has publicly introduced as his spiritual advisors …Representative Shea is very closely connected to MCF and to Barry and Anne Byrd. The Byrds have been included in private meetings where attendees were invited by code names, and where Representative Shea unveiled the Biblical Basis for War that offered his view of God’s authorization for war. [At] the same meeting Representative Shea distributed the Restoration document which was his blueprint for rebuilding after the fall of the US Government.”

Power, Fear, Radicalization, Intimidation

“Obtaining political power is a strategic objective of the Patriot Movement but it is also used tactically by Representative Shea … Encouraging individuals within the Patriot Movement to run for political office is a frequently discussed topic as reported by individuals formerly active in the Patriot Movement.”

“Fear is an often used tactic by Representative Shea to develop and grow his political support. He frequently warns people to stockpile weapons and ammunition and to prepare to defend your property. He makes frequent reference to Syrian immigrants, Antifa communists, and at times tells inaccurate stories that drive fear. Representative Shea spoke of Syrian refugee children raping another child in a restroom at knifepoint,a story that was later found to be completely inaccurate and did not involve rape, a weapon, or Syrian refugees according to news articles quoting Twin Falls County Prosecutor Grant Loebs.”

“Representative Shea and the Patriot Movement rely on the radicalization of individuals to the point they are willing to take up arms against the United States to carry out their objectives … Each armed conflict serves as a radicalization node, enraging individuals with sympathetic views of the goals of the Patriot Movement. This serves to draw more people into the conflict and into the Patriot Movement, thus adding to Representative Shea’s influence and power.”

“Inherent in the act of dispatching armed militants into a conflict with government authorities is the presence of intimidation and the threat of use of force. Intimidation and the ever-present threat of the use of force are powerful tactics used by Representative Shea in the achievement of his political goals.”

Encrypted Communications

“Representative Shea communicates securely with others using his code name ‘Verumbellator’ over secured communications systems such as Wickr, Signal and Protonmail. In October 2017, Representative Shea abandoned the use of email due to unspecified ‘security threats’ in favor of the Redoubt Emergency Network (REN Group) that communicates over theSignal App … Representative Shea and his associates have also been known to use what they call ‘Red Phones’ when engaged in a conflict. Red phones are understood to be pre-paid telephones that are untraceable.”

Paranoia

“Representative Shea told [witness 22] on many occasions through casual conversation that the ‘government’ tracks the phones of ‘people like us’ and feared that if two or more of ‘us--Patriots’ are gathered they (the Government) would turn on the mics on the phones and listen via stingray devices through warrantless wire taps.”

Conclusion

“Based on evidence obtained in this investigation, it is more probable than not that Representative Shea is likely to plan, direct and engage in additional future conflicts that could carry with them significant risk of bloodshed and loss of life. It is the professional opinion of the Investigators, that on a more probable than not basis, Representative Shea presents a present and growing threat of risk to others through political violence.”

108 pp report 2019

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6592792-WA-House-Report-12-03-192058-Redacted

...section 1: Analysis of Key Findings ................................................................................................ ............ 11

Conflict #1: 2014 Armed Standoff Against the US Government, Bunkerville, Nevada ..................... 11 Conflict #2: 2015 Priest River Armed Conflict, Bonner County, Idaho ............................................... 13 Conflict #3: 2016 Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Armed Takeover, Harney County, Oregon ...... 15 Section 2: Other Incidents of Engaging in, Planning and Promoting Political Violence ........................... 29 Section 3: Timeline of Events ..................................................................................................................... 37 Section 4: Political Violence ........................................................................... ............................. ............... 66 A. The Patriot Movement

...D. Associations with Militia Groups .............................................. ............. ............................................ 67111% Militia.................................................................................................. .................................... .... 67 Liberty for All - Washington 111% militia (LFA3%) .............................................................................. 68Citizens for Constitutional Freedom (C4CF)................................... ................. .................................... 69 Operation Mutual Defense (OMD) ................... ............................................................ ..................... 69Oath Keepers..................................................................................................................... ................. 70 Lightfoot Militia .............. ....................................................................................................... ............. 70 Pacific Patriots Network (PPN)

...Consistent with the scope of this investigation Rampart Group LLC Investigators have obtained evidence

that Representative Shea, as a leader in the Patriot Movement, planned, engaged in, and promoted a total of three armed conflicts of political violence against the United States (US) Government in three states outside the State of Washington over a three-year period to include 2014, 2015 and 2016.

In one conflict Representative Shea led covert strategic pre-planning in advance of the conflict; continued support to an armed occupation conflict of a Federal Government facility that lasted 41 days resulting in devastating financial, physical and emotional harm to a community and its residents; and the loss of one life.Conflict #1: 2014 Armed Standoff Against the US Government. Bunkerville, Nevada a. Representative Shea dispatched local militia Liberty For All III% - Washington leader Anthony Bosworth to Bunkerville, Nevada, on April 9, 2014 to assess the need for armed militia to stand against the US Government insupport of rancher Cliven Bundyand his family in resistance to a federal court order. 1 b. Representative Shea prepared and posted a plea on a III% militia website on April 10, 2014, for Patriot Movement members nationwide to travel to Bunkerville, Nevada and stand with the Bundy family that Exhibit 1C; R25, R29, R120, R123, R124 ...https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6592792-WA-House-Report-12-03-192058-Redacted#7" resulted in the April 11, 2014 turnout of approximately 1500 armed militia members that stood against the US government. 2

c.Representative Shea traveled to Bunkerville, Nevada April 12-14, 2014 and publicly supported the armed militias' standoff with the US Government and the Bundy's resistance to a federal court order. 3 d. Between April 12-14, 2014, Representative Shea met with other elected officials from Washington, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona at Bunkerville, Nevada, who gathered in support of the Bundy family's resistance to a federal court order and developed a strategy for leadership over future Patriot Movement armed resistance against the federal government by creating the Coalition of Western States (COWS). 4 e. Representative Shea on June 22, 2014, approximately two months following the Bunkerville armed standoff against the US Government, was observed at a Spokane area restaurant meeting withOath Keepers Militia leaders who participated in the Bunkerville armed standoff and others, and was overheard discussing militias, weapons, stockpiling ammunition, the Bundy Ranch, Special Forces and snipers. He was seen passing around a map and what was believed to be a night vision scope. A witness photographed the meeting participants and reported the incident to law enforcement. 5

f. Representative Shea on March 23, 2016, provided a signed statement to the Washington State House of Representatives Ethics Investigator that he traveled to Bunkerville, Nevada April 10-12, 2014 on a 'fact finding mission. " 6 Conflict #2: 2015 Priest River Armed Conflict, Bonner County, Idaho a. Representative Shea in August 2015 traveled to Priest River, Idaho and engaged in an armed conflict with the US Government Veteran's Administration (VA) in resistance to the planned lawful removal of firearms from a military veteran whose name had been added to the National Instant Criminal Background System (NICS) as a person determined by a healthcare professional as not eligible to purchase firearms. 7

b. Representative Shea posted an "URGENT ACTION ALERT" to his Facebook site and called for Patriot Movement followers to travel to Priest River, ID and stand with him to prevent the Veterans Administration (VA) from removing the firearms. 8 c. Representative Shea later posted on his Facebook site that he was "Enroute to Idaho with a convoy of patriots ... "

d. Representative Shea speaking later, at a rally in Priest River, described the VA's actions as "bureaucratic terrorism". He claimed that such unconstitutional gun seizures had been going on throughout the country, and stated, "Today it stops here in Priest River, Idaho.":{ He later went on to say, Exhibit lA; R23, R204 Exhibit 3A, 38, 3C, 18 ; R30 ' R24, R25, R26, R27, R28, R31 5 Wl4, W34, E12X 6 E3C 7 El1A,R43,R44,R123 8 ElF(l)

:{:(style="text-decoration-thickness:inherit;text-decoration-style:inherit;text-decoration-color:inherit"):}:

"We are telling the Federal government they are going to have to come through us to get to this veteran . " e. Representative Shea was a participant in a detailed operations plan entitled "IDAHO DEPLOYMENT - Operation Armed Backyard" that resulted in the use of armed militia members who blocked access to the veteran's home and prevented the lawful retrieval of the guns by the Veterans Administration. 10 Conflict #3: 2016 Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Armed Takeover, Harney Countv, Oregon a. Representative Shea in his leadership role as Chairman of the Coalition of Western States (COWS) along with the Liberty For All (LFA) III% - Washington militia leader and other members of COWS beginning around early November 2015 through January 2, 2016, engaged in conversations with Ammon Bundy and other militia members in the planning and preparation of the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Bums, Oregon. I1 b. Representative Shea, in his role as Chairman of COWS, published a press release on December 11, 2015 as a call to action for Patriot Movement members and militias to rally in Hamey County Oregon against the US Government in support of two lawfully arrested, convicted and sentenced residents of Harney County who committed crimes against the US Government. 12 c. Representative Shea as Chairman of COWS and identified with "We The People - United Individuals of these States United: Coalition of Western States (COWS), Pacific Patriot s Network (PPN) Bundy Family and Supporters, Oregon Oath Keepers , Idaho 111%,Central Oregon Constitutional Guard, Oregon Tactical, Oregon Bearded Bastards, Liberty Watch Washington, Nevada Committee for Full Statehood , Rural Heritage Preservation Project, Liberty for All (LFA) engaged in the preparation, final approval, support and dissemination of a Redress of Grievance document on December 11, 2015, that was presented to the Sheriff of Harney County Oregon. Arguments stated within the document included an assessment that two Harney County residents were victims of cruel and unusual punishment and were not afforded their rights to due process by the federal government ; blamed Harney County and the State of Oregon for failing to protect the convicted residents' constitutional rights ; accused the US Government of abusing the federal court system in achieving its verdicts; asserted the federal investigation was flawed; accused the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling as a violation of the 5th Amendment; demanded the Hamey County Oregon Sheriff to take action against the US Government and respond within 5 days or be considered negligent in his duty, and threatened the Harney County Sheriff would suffer undefined consequences to follow if he did not consider the set forth demands. 13 d. Representative Shea on or about January 3, 2016, created a detailed military styled operation plan entitled "Operation Cold Reality" that included roles and responsibilities of COWS members and militia leadership in support of the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County Oregon.e. Representative Shea on January 4, 2016 through the use of encrypted email and using codename "Verumbellator, " covertly disseminated information to COWS member State Representativesfrom Washington , Idaho, and Nevada, and to Patriot Movement militia leaders and others , that detailed and warned of specific law enforcement operations and actions in response to the armed takeover:{ of the ' Rl9, R43, R44 10 W22, W24 , E6A W9, W2 4, W 28,E2E,E l3 B, E13F, E13G W22 , W24, W28 , E2A, E28, E2C, E2D, E13G

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Hamey County Oregon. Representative Shea attached to that encrypted email a detailed military-styled operations plan entitled "WARNING ORDER- Operation Cold Reality" that set forth specific instructions to members of COWS, militia leaders and other unidentified persons also using code names, as to their specific roles and responsibilities in support of the armed occupiers. Representative Shea also detailed his uninvited intentions to travel to Bums, Oregon within days to follow to support the armed occupation. 14 f. Representative Shea on January 5, 2016, again using codename "Verumbellator" distributed a second encrypted email and an updated Warning Order to COWS members and militia members using code names, entitled "Oregon Update" that included the updated military style operations plan "Operation Cold Reality" containing more specific instructions for COWS member State Representatives from Washington, Idaho and Nevada to travel to Burns, Oregon on January 9, 2016. 15 g. Representative Shea traveled to Burns, Oregon on January 9, 2016 along with COWS State Representative members from Washington, Idaho and Oregon; demanded a meeting with the Hamey County Sheriff who was unavailable; identified himself as a State Representative from Washington; did not disclose his COWS affiliation; met at the Harney County Courthouse with members of the law enforcement community to include the Harney County Sheriff's Office, Harney County Administrative Judge, Harney County District Attorney, Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and insisted on traveling to the refuge with other State Representatives to meet with Ammon Bundy and the armed occupiers. h. Representative Shea along with other COWS members pREsent at the January 9, 2016 meeting at Harney County, Oregon referred to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as "terrorists;" gathered intelligence from the January 9, 2016 meeting regarding law enforcement strategies and operations; traveled from that same meeting to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on the same day; and met with Ammon Bundy and other armed occupiers despite warnings of extreme danger and against the will of law enforcement and other Oregon state elected officials. 16 i. Representative Shea using the codename "Verumbellator" and between January 6, 20 I 6 through January 10, 2016 continued as a sender or recipient of 28 combined follow-up covert emails among COWS and militia members regarding counterintelligence gathered at Burns, Oregon, specific to law enforcement operations and activities around the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. 17 j. Representative Shea in support of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge armed occupation sometime between January 4, 2016 and January 27, 2016,sent LFA- Washington III% militia leader Anthony Bosworth into the Malheur National Wildlife Refugeto meet with Ammon Bundy, and to both report and gather intelligence to counter law enforcement operations. 18 k. Representative Shea sometime after the February I 1, 2016 ending of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge armed occupation, posted to his Facebook page, "After much prayer, I'm afraid violence might be necessary to take our country back. "19 W9, W22, W24, E21, E2J, E2G W22, E2J, E2K, E2M, E2N Wl, W3, WlO, W20, E2R, E2Q, E13C R64, R69, R70, R71, R138 W2.2, E2L 1B " W7 , Rl1 9, fl128

I. Representative Shea on March 23, 2016, provided a signed statement to the Washington State House of Representatives Ethics Investigator that he traveled to Bums, Oregon on January 9-10, 2016 on a "fact finding mission" and that he was "invited" by Oregon elected officials. F. Summary Determination Other Facts This investigation also identified the following findings:

Finding #1 - Representative Shea participated in an act of domestic terrorism against the United States by his actions before and during the armed takeover and standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. "By statute Domestic Terrorism is defined as any act dangerous to human life that violates the US. criminal laws and appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influences the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or affects the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping. " 20

Finding #2 - Representative Shea engaged in intimidation tactics against a political opponent in September 2012, posted a photo of himself on his Facebook page while standing in front of the opponent's residence, and refused to remove the online photo at the request of the opponent, party affiliates and law enforcement. 21

Finding #3- Representative Shea engaged in secure on line chat using the codename "Verumbe/lator" from October 29 through December 12, 2017 that included the identification of opposition political activists, condoned violence and intimidation, and offered to do background checks on named persons in opposition to his political ideology. 22

Finding #4 - Representative Shea from 2014 through 2019 condoned intimidation by supporters of his political opposition to include activists, government official , Muslims, and others who speak or act in opposition to his personal beliefs and his political agenda .23

Finding #5 - Representative Shea from 2014 through 2017 engaged in counterintelligence gathering and acted in opposition to the lawful efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement. 24

Finding #6- Representative Shea in 2016 engaged in and supported the training of youth and young adults to fight a Holy war. 25

Finding #7 - Representative Shea wrote the Biblical Basis for War and advocated the replacement of US democracy with a theocracy and the killing of all males who do not agree. 26

Finding #8 - Representative Shea engaged in and promoted annual Patriot Movement militia training and readiness exercises in support of anticipated armed conflicts against federal, state and local governments and law enforcement. :{27 R234 R16, W4, E4A 22 W22,E4B,E4C,E4D,R173,R174,R175,R176,R178,R179,R180,R181,R182,R183,R227, 23 W22, W23, R18, R196 24 E7B,E7C,E7D,E21,R19, R23, R24, R25, 26, R28, R30, R37, R43, R44, R64 25 W22,E6A,E68,E6C,E6D,R151,R152,R205,R206,R207 26 W22,ESA,ESB,ESC,R149,R153,R154,R156,R157,R158, R161,R167,R170,R171,R172,R177,R193,R195,R196,R208,R213,R214, R215, R216, R217, R218, R220 27 W22,R127,R134,R139,R142,R143,R146,R147,R148,R161,R162,Rl65,R168,Rl70,R184,R185,Rl92,R200,R208,R226

Details of Investigation....

...OMO is led by an advisory board that includes Ryan Payne, who was a leader in the armed takeover of

the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge along with Jon Ritzheimer. Both were later arrested by the FBI for crimes against the Government.

Representative Shea is connected to OMO through his association with the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge where OMO provided resources, personnel (including the leadership ofJon Ritzheimer and Ryan Payne), and communications support. He is also connected through his close associations with the Bundy family and his involvement in the Bunkerville standoff with Federal authorities where Ryan Payne was an active participant as well as a source of manpower and resources for the Bundy's.

Oath Keepers Oath Keepers was founded by Elmer StewartRhodesin 2008 and identifies as a non-partisan association of current and formerly serving military, police, and first responders who pledge to fulfill the oath all military and police take to "defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic." Oath Keepers declare that they will not obey unconstitutional orders, such as orders to disarm the American people, to conduct warrantless searches, or to detain Americans as "enemy combatants" in violation of their right to jury trial. Oath Keepers share an ideology similar to that of the III% militia and there is cross over between the groups. They believe current government has strayed from a strict and literal interpretation of the Constitution. Oath Keepers recognize elected county sheriffs as the only legitimate law enforcement authorities.

Many of the beliefs articulated by Representative Shea mirror those held by the Oath Keepers militia. Representative Shea was a speaker at the first annual "Northwest Patriots Self-Reliance Rally" in 2013 that was sponsored by the Oath Keepers where he told attendees to ''prepare for the inevitable collapse that is going to happen" and urged the crowd to consider it an opportunity to stock up on thousands of rounds of ammunition. He also told them, "You have to stand up for what is right - even if it means you have to stand up to your government." 121

In 2014 Representative Shea attended a meeting at a Spokane area Mexican Restaurant with at least 4 other men. One man was identified as StewartRhodes, founder of Oath Keepers and another is known as Elias Alias, an officer of Oath Keepers and prominent blogger for the organization. During the meeting, witnesses overheard the men discussing militia, weapons, stockpiling ammunition, Bundy Ranch, Special Forces and snipers. They passed around what was believed to be a night vision scope and a map. The names Stewart Rhoades and Ryan Payne were overheard during the meeting and the witnesses, fearing the men were planning a domestic terror attack, reported the incident to police after photographing the participants. Representative Shea, Rhodes and Elias Alias can be clearly identified in the photos. Lightfoot Militia The Lightfoot Militia identifies with the Patriot Movement and claims their name was derived from the late 18th century naming convention for British infantry units that were called "Foot" (foot soldiers) and Light infantry units were called "Light Foot" . Since the Lightfoot claim they will not have much in the way of supply lines or support elements in a crisis, they plan to "live off the land and resupply off the enemy ." Hence , the name "Light Foot Militia"....[a # of other rhodes refs]

...

p. 16 1 occurrence

According to the Sheriff, on the same day within one hour of leaving the meeting withBundy and Payne, Richard Mack,a member of COWS and associate of Representative Sh_a who Investigators identified as the head of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Police Officers Association (CSPOA), called the Sheriff and extended an offer in dealing with the government overreach in the Hammond case. Mack spoke very highly of the Bundy family. Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, Nevada, identified as a close associate of Representative Shea and member of COWS also called the Sheriff that same week in support the Sheriff stepping in to prevent the Hammonds from going back to federal prison.

p. 47 1 occurrence

• • Richard Mack , President of the CSPOA called Sheriff Ward and told him he participated in the protest march on January 2, 2016 but not the armed takeover of the refuge and did not condone it.

https://www.azmirror.com**/2021/02**/08/democrats-want-mark-finchem-expelled-from-the-arizona-legislature/

Democrats on Monday introduced a resolution to expel a Republican state lawmaker for his alleged role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, his ties to extremist groupsand for spreading misinformation about the election.

Those things make Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Oro Valley, unfit to serve in the Arizona Legislature, saidRep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe.

Her :{House Resolution 2006:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: ties Finchem to the riots in Washington, D.C., as well as comments made by the event’s main organizer, :{Ali Alexander:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}:.

Finchem was at the Capitol when Trump supporters engaged in a violent coup attempt, in the hopes of stopping Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s election victory, that left five people dead, including a Capitol police officer. On his Twitter page, Finchem posted a photo he took of the Capitol after rioters and protesters had breached the inner areas of the Capitol grounds.

“What happens when the People feel they have been ignored, and Congress refuses to acknowledge rampant fraud,” he wrote, praising the rioters.

Finchem has since deleted his Twitter account. He did not respond to a request for comment.

State Rep. César Chávez, D-Phoenix, :{filed an ethics complaint:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: about the tweet, arguing that it showed Finchem participated in the insurrection. The House Ethics Committee has not acted on the complaint.

Salman said that legislative Republicans, who control the House of Representatives by a single vote, have shown they won’t hold Finchem accountable.

“The majority party has failed to take the most minimal action,” Salman said at a press conference Monday. “Due to their inaction, Representative Fincehm has tried to hide his actions.”

Salman brought up recent news that Finchem was :{paid $6,000 by the Trump campaign:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: for “recount: legal consulting” after the election and :{has battled the release of records requested:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: by the Arizona Republicin relation to the Jan. 6 riots. Finchem, a licensed real estate agent, is not an attorney.

An Arizona Mirror analysis of tweets from Finchem’s now-deleted Twitter account found that thelawmaker used the hashtag “#StopTheSteal” a total of 62 times from Nov. 19 to Jan. 6.

“I demand his immediate expulsion,” Ret. Lt. Col. Dana Allmond said at the presser. Allmond, a West Point graduate who resides in Finchem’s legislative district, said the Republican lawmaker poses a “clear and present danger” to the country and Arizona’s legislature.

The resolution is unlikely to succeed because it can’t advance without GOP backing. Republicans would have to first consider it in committee, and then allow it to come to the floor for a vote. Were that to happen, Finchem would only be expelled if two-thirds of the House voted for the resolution.

“There is a line between First Amendment speech and inciting the overthrow of a free and fair election,” Salman said.

Salman’s resolution also notes Finchem’s ties to the anti-government extremist group the Oath Keepers. Three members of the group :{have been indicted:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: for conspiracy related to the Jan. 6 insurrection, and the group has :{been preparing for a civil war:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: since before the November election.

Finchem has :{acknowledged being a member of the group:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}:, whose leader in the past has called for the :{execution of the late Sen. John McCain:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}:.

The group has :{had multiple ties to the Jan. 6 coup attempt:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}:, and long-time Trump ally Roger Stone was also :{seen alongside the group on Jan. 6:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}:.

Finchem also has ties to Washington lawmaker Matt Shea who was :{accused of domestic terrorism:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}:by his state’s legislature for his role in armed standoffs in Oregon, Nevada and Idaho. Finchem was a part of an organization called the Coalition of Western States that Shea used to work behind the scenes to feed information to the armed men, the Washington report claimed.

https://www.azmirror.com**/2020/01**/06/the-arizona-connections-to-domestic-terrorism-advocate-matt-shea/

ref

a Washington state lawmaker accused of participating in acts of domestic terrorism by an independent report commissioned by his own legislature has connections to two former elected officials in Arizona.

Matt Shea had been a key figure in multiple armed standoffs that took place between federal authorities in Oregon, Nevada and Idaho from 2014 to 2016.

Shea, a Republican lawyer first elected in 2008, was :{suspended from Washington’s House Republican Caucus:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: and stripped of his position as the ranking member of the House Environment and Energy Committee after the report was released.

The :{report:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: claims that Shea gave information on the movements and tactics of law enforcement to groups who were being monitored during incidents such as the high-profile standoff between the FBI and Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy.

The report details the ways Shea and his group, :{the Coalition of Western States:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}:, often referred to as COWS, worked behind the scenes to provide information, intelligence and logistical support.

COWS also included members who are residents of Arizona, two of whom were elected officials at the time.

Arizona elected officials

Robert Corbell was elected to the Greenlee County Board of Supervisors from 2013-16. He’s also a member of COWS.

:{Corbell has been vocal in the past:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: about his role in the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. However, the report sheds additional light on his and COWS’ roles in the occupation.

On Jan. 2, 2016, armed men seized the wildlife refuge and occupied it until Feb. 11. Ammon Bundy led :{the occupation:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: to protest what he believed were the wrongful convictions of fellow ranchers.

Ammon Bundy is the son of rancher Cliven Bundy, has been a key figure in the militia movement and was a central figure in the 2014 standoff in Nevada between his father and federal authorities.

Corbell in March told Oregon public radio station OPB that he had met Shea at the Bundy ranch years earlier to discuss “sovereignty” and how to get laws changed.

“So, we went to the casino at the state line, and in the motel room there … we created COWS,” Corbell said about the meeting in April 2014. Corbell also told OPB that he knew that the occupation was likely going to happen, something that investigators noted in the report on Shea.

Another video shows Corbell with Shea, speaking from the Bundy ranch during the 2014 standoff in Nevada.

"The Constitution is being trampled on and people are finally standing up, thank God and God bless,” Corbell says in the video.

Corbell often shares anti-government and conspiracy theory posts on his personal Facebook page, some involving the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, a frequent target of COWS, Shea and the Bundys.

[twt hammond land to russia for uranium?!] vid]

corbell is not the only former elected official from Arizona linked to COWS and Shea.

Barry Weller, who was elected to on the Apache County Board of Supervisors from 2013-16, was also in the 2014 video.

“I’m here to support the Bundys and I’m here to support the process,” Weller says in the video. “I’m here to call all those thousands of other supervisors to stand up for their citizens.”

Weller is also mentioned in the report as a member of COWS.

In 2016, Weller made news after :{speaking in favor of a bill:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: in the Arizona legislature that would split Apache County at Interstate 40. Lawmakers have been debating similar proposals for decades, and Gov. Bruce Babbitt in 1982 vetoed a bill that would have created a predominantly Navajo county, calling it racial legislation.

One of Weller’s fellow supervisors said he believed Weller’s advocacy for the measure was racially motivated. Weller said his support of the measure, which would have divided the predominantly white part Apache County he represented away from the Navajo parts of the county, was economic in nature and not motivated by race.

Corbell and Weller did not respond to requests for comment.

Other notable Arizonans

The report names other Arizona figures who participated in both the Malheur and the Bundy Ranch standoffs.

Former Graham County Sheriff :{Richard Mack:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}:, founder of the :{Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}:, is a member of COWS and, according to confidential sources, helped Shea plan the Malheur takeover, the report said.

Mack denied helping to organize the takeover or having any advance knowledge of it.

“That’s a lie,” Mack told Arizona Mirror. He said he was unaware of the armed takeover and later told Ammon Bundy he was opposed to the idea: “I had no idea it was heading towards that sort of escalation.”

Investigators in Washington interviewed Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward in Oregon, whom Mack and others approached prior to the takeover of the Malheur refuge.

In November 2015, Ammon Bundy and others told the sheriff that if he did not intercede on behalf of father-and-son ranchers in Oregon who were charged with arson amid a land dispute with BLM that they would “bring thousands of people here to do your job for you” and that they would create “civil unrest.”

Dwight and Steven Hammond had :{been convicted of arson:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: on federal land that they say they started to stop an invasive plant from growing further into their cattle grazing fields. President Donald Trump later :{pardoned them:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: on the arson charges.

Within an hour of Bundy leaving, Mack called Ward and spoke very highly of the Bundy family.Mack later participated in a protest march involving the Hammonds. Some men broke off from that protest to take over the refuge, though Mack was not a part of the actual takeover.

According to the report, Mack told Ward that the sheriff could “get out from under the situation” by taking the Hammonds into his custody and simply charging them with crimes they didn’t commit so “the Feds” couldn’t have them and they would be adjudicated.

Ward said this suggestion was similar to one in a letter he’d received from Cliven Bundy.

Shea was also a featured speaker at one of Mack’s events in 2013.

Mack told the Mirror he hasn’t been active in COWS for at least four years, and said if he ever received one of the intel emails that Shea was sending out during the Malheur standoff, he likely didn’t notice because “it was so innocuous that it had no lasting effect on me,” adding that he “never saw anything that promoted violence or domestic terrorism.”

The former sheriff said he did call Ward and said they’re “on pretty good terms.” Mack said none of the investigators reached out to him and he questioned their motivations.

The report mentions Peoria resident Jon Ritzheimer, who organized an infamous :{Phoenix mosque protest:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: and used to sell products featuring the slogan “Fuck Islam.” Ritzheimer was a participant in the Malheur takeover. He was arrested and later eventually :{struck a plea deal to federal conspiracy charges:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: for his role in the standoff. He was not a member of Shea’s group.

Ritzheimer did not respond to a request for comment.

Arizona resident Lyle Rapacki, the vice chairman of COWS and an online columnist who pens articles about :{alleged satan worship at naval bases:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: and the :{QAnon conspiracy theory:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: that liberal elites run a global cabal of pedophiles, received email updates from Shea about the Malheur takeover that included military style protocols and information, according to the Washington legislature’s report.

It is unclear if Rapacki had any role in Shea’s intelligence reports that he had been allegedly giving to those involved in the armed standoffs in Nevada and Oregon. Rapacki did not respond to a request for comment.

The report also mentions Arizona resident Cope Reynolds as a member of COWS and a recipient of the intelligence emails that Shea was sending out during the standoffs. Reynolds is the owner of a gun shop in Pinetop that :{disallows anyone who voted for President Barack Obama:(style="box-sizing:border-box"):}: from entering the store. Reynolds did not respond to a request for comment.

The full report can be read below: [doc] 2019

http://www.accountable.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GroundZero-3.pdf

Executive Summary............................................................................2

Elmer Stewart Rhodes.........................................................................4

Trent Loos............................................................................................10

Sean Reyes...........................................................................................18

Paul Gosar............................................................................................24

Wendy Rogers.....................................................................................29

Yvette Herrell......................................................................................35

Cliven Bundy.......................................................................................39

Ammon Bundy....................................................................................43

Phil Lyman..........................................................................................48

Matt Rosendale...................................................................................55

Lauren Boebert....................................................................................60

Sonny Borrelli.....................................................................................69

Walter Blackman................................................................................76

Dennis Linthicum...............................................................................81

Matt Shea.............................................................................................86

Cliff Bentz............................................................................................95

Brady Knowlton.................................................................................10

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/sep/24/sheriff-ozzie-knezovich-warns-of-homegrown-extremi/

After speaking for more than an hour about the dangers of homegrown extremism Tuesday evening, Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich announced he will not seek re-election when his term ends in 2022.

Knezovich, 56, said he plans to complete a master’s degree so he can teach college courses. He did not say whether he intends to run for another political office.

Knezovich was appointed sheriff in 2006 and has since won four elections. Reflecting on his decision to take the job, he said, “At the end of the day, I hope I fulfill a promise I talked to my wife about at a kitchen table almost 14 years ago: If I do this, I’m going to do it right.”

He made the announcement at the end of a presentation titled “The Threats We Face” at the CenterPlace Regional Event Center in Spokane Valley. The event, which drew several hundred people, was hosted by the Republicans of Spokane County, a moderate group that is separate from the Spokane County Republican Party.

Joined by former state Sen. John Smith as well as Jay Pounder and Tanner Rowe – onetime associates of state Rep. Matt Shea – Knezovich called on the community to combat white supremacy, radical strains of Christianity and other forms of extremism. They specifically called out Shea, R-Spokane Valley, who they said seeks to install Christians in positions of power over other groups.

Knezovich also raised the alarm about Islamic extremism and anti-fascist, or antifa, demonstrators, and blamed the news media for anti-police sentiment following the 2014 fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

“Just so you know, I’m an equal-opportunity offender,” Knezovich said. He later added, “Hate knows no party line.”

Knezovich delivered the same message and criticized Shea during another presentation in 2015, also titled “The Threats We Face.”

On Tuesday, however, he was joined onstage by Pounder, who has leaked documents exposing Shea’s activities outside the Legislature, including a manifesto titled “Biblical Basis for War” and messages showing the lawmaker participated in discussions of violence and surveillance.

Pounder said he began subscribing to right-wing conspiracy theories after the financial crisis of 2008, when he lost $60,000 and feared for his family’s future. Eventually, he said, he met the “right people” – Shea’s circle, who offered attractive explanations for his misfortune.

But Pounder said it was Shea’s “weaponization of the Christian gospel” that finally convinced him to leave the group and leak information about it.

Smith was raised in a family of white supremacists before he was appointed to represent northeast Washington’s 7th Legislative District in 2013 and has since denounced racist ideology.

He and Pounder said Shea promotes dominionism– the idea that Christians have a God-given right to govern. Smith argued that philosophy relies on a misreading of a verse in the Bible’s book of Genesis.

Smith also argued that Shea has promoted racist ideology by associating with figures like neo-Confederate pastor John Weaver and Barry and Anne Byrd, the leaders of the Marble religious community in northern Stevens County and onetime proponents of the racist Christian Identity movement.

Shea, who rarely speaks to the news media, has denied accusations of racism and xenophobia in the past, though he routinely shares anti-Muslim conspiracy theories on social media.

Before the crowd, Knezovich questioned whether Shea has “the guts” to meet with him and answer questions about his activities.

“Now it’s time for Matt Shea to sit here. It’s time for Matt Shea to field your questions,” Knezovich told reporters during a news conference after the presentation. “If Matt Shea has the courage to stand in front of you like we have, it’s time for him to do it. He owes it to the people that elected him, just as I owe it to the people that elected me.”

no lnx guk

https://yyw.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/08/matt-shea-republican-far-right-leaked-chats-washington-state

secret chats involving Republican lawmaker reveal fresh evidence of plots and paranoia

Messages from network involving Matt Shea provide insight into ‘patriot movement’ – and the extent of their conspiracy thinking

Jason Wilson

@jason_a_w

Fri 8 Nov 2019 02.00 EST Last modified on Wed 20 Nov 2019

Washington state congressman Matt Shea in April this year. Shea’s network includes other rightwing politicians alongside activists associated with militia groups and pro-gun activists.

Washington state congressman Matt Shea in April this year. Shea’s network includes other rightwing politicians alongside activists associated with militia groups and pro-gun activists. Photograph: Ted S Warren/AP

Leaked Signal messages from an online chat network around six-term Washington state Republican representative Matt Shea show new evidence of violent fantasies, surveillance of perceived adversaries, conspiracy thinking, Islamophobia and support for white nationalists.

[Leak from neo-Nazi site could identify hundreds of extremists worldwide

"MY GOODNESS, JUST ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. AND YOU HAVE DONE THAT," SHEA TELLS SCOTT IN A 2016 PODCAST. "TO THE POINT THAT, I THINK, THEY'RE KIND OF AFRAID OF YOU RIGHT NOW. "And I think a lot of people feel the same way about you, Matt," Scott responds. A BUG OR A FEATURE?

Heather Scott knows how to make a first impression.

During Scott's very first week in office in 2015, representing the northernmost part of Idaho, from Sandpoint up, fellow lawmakers watched her climb on her new desk in Boise and ask them if the little black object hanging from the wire on the ceiling could be a "listening device." She then pulled out a knife and cut it down.... "We later learned that the object was believed to be a part of the Capitol building's fire suppression system," Idaho Republican state Reps. Caroline Nilsson Troy and Don Cheatham said in a **017 when then-Idaho State Rep. Christy Perry wrote**

**Perry wrote that Scott's "escalating pattern of behavior" meant that some female members of the caucus "do not feel safe working in her presence."**

**It wasn't just that Scott carried a gun into the Capitol. This is Idaho after all. Perry says she personally kept *two* Smith & Wesson lightweight revolvers in the statehouse.**

The difference, Perry says, is that there was a paranoia that came out in everything Scott did.

"When you couple odd behavior and aggressive behavior and know that person does carry, that raises a concern to a different level," Perry tells the *Inlander*.

**Scott declined to be interviewed for this story; like Shea, she says the media is part of a coordinated conspiracy, driven in part to silence people like them.**

**In Perry's letter, she wrote about Scott sneering and glaring at her colleagues, bashing them in events in their own districts, and claiming female legislators were given leadership positions if they "spread their legs." And while the frustration with Scott wasn't universal, Perry wasn't alone.**

"Some of those concerns were shared by others," Idaho Speaker of the House Scott Bedke says. Bedke found the comment about female legislators to be particularly horrifying — he suspended Scott from all committees until he felt she'd adequately apologized. Today he says she's "grown as a legislator."

**From her first campaign on, Scott has portrayed the Republican-dominated Idaho Legislature as an "orchestrated circus" and a "swamp," beset by sell-outs, bullies, cowards and "evil people."**

Sometimes those accusations get personal: When an affair between Perry and an Idaho state senator became public in 2016, Scott shared the news on Facebook and speculated about legislative corruption: "How many good bills backed by citizens were kept in committee chairmen drawers and why?" Scott wrote.

In Idaho, Scott has argued, the battle isn't between Republicans and the tiny Democratic minority. It's between the "gravy train" Republicans — addicted, she claims, to federal bribes, beholden to crony capitalism — and those working for the citizens.

**Set aside Scott's views on abortion and same-sex marriage and transgender rights and Muslim refugees, you could almost consider her a hardcore libertarian. She believes the county government's job is to protect you from the state, and the job of the state is to protect you from the feds.**

Scott imagines tyranny coming not from a bang, but a succession of whimpers.

"I think a lot of people are waiting for this big war, and they're hunkered down and they've got their food and they've got their bullets," Scott says in a 2015 YouTube video. "It's not how we're going to be taken. We're going to be taken one small battle at a time."

As a result, Scott and a few allies have turned even minor procedural votes — updating the state's notary laws, for instance — into tooth-and-nail battles where the state's sovereignty and the future of liberty is alleged to be in jeopardy.

:{Unlike Washington state, where Shea's vote is drowned out by Democrats, Idaho is conservative enough that Scott's vote matters. :(style="background-color:#ffffff;"):}::{In 2015, Idaho representatives had to return to Boise for a special session after Scott's choice to :(style="background-color:#ffff66;"):}:help kill a child support bill— citing fears about foreign tribunals and Sharia law — threatened to cost Idaho $200 million in annual child support payments.

This approach has given her nearly perfect ratings from the libertarian Idaho Freedom Foundation. She's beloved by Idaho Second Amendment Alliance.

"She doesn't compromise," says Anna Bohach, a former constituent. "That's what I like about Heather. We don't compromise on our principles."

But more moderate legislators saw Scott as killing perfectly fine bills by spreading fear and falsehoods.

"There are people who get things done in the Legislature because they work well with their colleagues and come up with tangible ideas," says former Idaho Rep. Luke Malek, a Republican. "And Heather Scott is not one of those people."

Malek would work in the Legislature and then read one of Scott's newsletters — roaring with inflammatory rhetoric — and it seemed like she's coming from a different world entirely.

"There's like this alternate reality," Malek says.

Idaho wasn't even a state during the Civil War, but Rep. Heather Scott still stoked controversy when she placed a Confederate flag on her Timber Days parade float in 2015. *" class="uk-display-block uk-position-relative uk-visible-toggle" style="text-decoration-line: none; cursor: pointer; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; display: block !important; position: relative !important;">:{:(style="top:0px;right:0px;background:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.667);box-shadow:none;border:none;border-radius:0px;outline:0px;position:absolute !important;padding:0px !important;width:0px !important;height:0px !important;margin:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important"):}:*

Idaho wasn't even a state during the Civil War, but Rep. Heather Scott still stoked controversy when she placed a Confederate flag on her Timber Days parade float in 2015.

REDOUBTERS ASSEMBLE

That reality is called the "American Redoubt."

First dreamt up by survivalist fiction author James Wesley Rawles, the Redoubt calls for conservative Christians and Jews to escape ostensible government persecution in liberal areas and migrate to the Inland Northwest to turn the region into a bulwark against governmental tyranny — even a fortress in the event of a governmental collapse. Scott's district is in the heart of it.

Last December, Rawles put both Scott and Shea on his list of "key leaders and promoters of the American Redoubt movement."

"The beauty of it is, we're all in the Redoubt," Scott tells Shea on Shea's podcast. "It is a place where people from all over the country have been fleeing."

The Redoubt movement has its own alternative media network, filled with some of Scott's most ardent supporters like Redoubt News blogger Shari Dovale — "Patriot Journalist" on her business card — and pseudonymous Radio Free Redoubt radio host John Jacob Schmidt.

The Redoubt is a haven for groups like the Oath Keepers, a loosely organized, militia-aligned patriot group of mostly law enforcement and military veterans who've vowed to defy unconstitutional orders. Shea's an Oath Keeper. Despite not having military experience herself, Scott took the Oath Keeper's oath, too.

"It was serious," Scott says in a YouTube video. "It was like when I got married."

But don't confuse the Redoubt with the sort of white ethnostate the Aryan Nations once dreamt of in North Idaho in the 1980s, members of the movement insist. The Redoubt, Scott wrote in a statement last month, is "not a hideout for racial supremacists, religious zealots, bigots, –phobics or 'deplorables.'"

Yet, it's not hard to see why some people conflate the Redoubt movement with Idaho's ugly past. Montana pastor Chuck Baldwin — the first on Rawles' list of Redoubt movement promoters — celebrates the Confederacy and preaches anti-Semitic 9/11 conspiracy theories.

As for Scott herself? There was the time — a few weeks after a white supremacist who celebrated the Confederate flag shot nine black churchgoers in South Carolina in 2014 — that Scott proudly flew the Confederate battle flag on a parade float, arguing it was a symbol of "free speech." And a day after the 2017 alt-right rally in Charlottesville, when a white supremacist drove a car into a crowd of protesters, Scott published a quote on Facebook arguing that a "white nationalist" was "no more than a Caucasian who [is] for the Constitution and making America great again." Scott later argued she was just starting a conversation about how liberals distort language.

In her statement, Scott declared that she rejects "ANY AND ALL forms of racial supremacy" and believes "as the late Lavoy Finicum stated, that 'Freedom is Color Blind.'"

In fact, some conservative critics of Scott believe that she and similar legislators deploy these sorts of controversies intentionally.

"The formula is simple. Use white nationalism stories to trigger the media, be the martyr and rally support from sympathizers who don't like to be called racists," an Idaho rancher wrote last year on the moderate-leaning Idaho Conservatives blog.

Put another way, she and Shea are looking for fights that, they believe, will portray themselves as victims.

THE STANDOFF THAT WASN'T

It was Matt Shea who made Heather Scott a star.

You can trace the moment back to Aug. 6, 2015 — the day that Scott believed the government was coming to take a veteran's guns. A year after John Arnold, a Vietnam veteran in North Idaho, had a stroke, he was informed by Veterans Affairs that he was no longer able to handle his own finances — or possess a gun.

And so Scott called up Shea.

Shea, a veteran himself, knew a thing or two about showdowns with the United States government. In 2014, Shea had gone down to Cliven Bundy's ranch in Nevada to support the armed protesters and militiamen who had come to Bundy's defense when the Bureau of Land Management started taking Bundy's livestock because he'd refused to pay grazing fees.

Shea had even formed an alliance of state legislators and other leaders called the Coalition of Western States — that's COWS, for short — dedicated to fighting against the federal government's so-called "war on rural America."

Jay Pounderused to be part of Shea's informal security detail and, breaking with the lawmaker, he leaked hundreds of pages of internal Shea documents to the media. Shea's ultimate goal, Pounder says, goes beyond concerns over public land: The showdowns themselves are the point.

Daniel Walters photo

Washington state Rep. Matt Shea was accused of taking part in an act of "domestic terrorism" in an investigative report released in December.

"They always want these flashpoints," Pounder says. "They have to have a flashpoint in order to have the holy justification in order to start shooting back."

When Scott tells Shea about how Arnold might lose his gun rights, Shea leaps into action. He writes up a formalized operational plan, dubbing the tactics "Operation Armed Backyard."

He outlines principles like "Expose them as tyrants, by making them act like tyrants" and "human life is more important than stealing guns." [what?]

The goal, Shea writes, is for the VA to back down without anybody getting hurt, according to leaked documents. He wants hundreds to attend and for other states to join the fight.

He doles out assignments: Schmidt would be in charge of "secure communications and intercept." Shea ally Anthony Bosworth — who'd been arrested for standing with his AK-47 in front of Spokane's federal courthouse and refusing to leave — was to conduct site-recon,set up early warning observation posts and establish evacuation routes. Scott's job? "Identify patriot bail bondsmen," and contact law enforcement and local elected officials.

The document also included a long list of unassigned potential tasks, including identifying "available patriot aircraft" and "multiple resupply routes" and organizing "civilian action teams."

Scott and Shea put out the call on Facebook.

"THE SEIZURE OF THE GUNS OF ONE OF US...IS THE SEIZURE OF THE GUNS OF ALL OF US," Shea writes.

Infowars, Alex Jones' right-wing conspiracy website, hypes it as a "showdown."

And so in Priest River, a town about 1,800, a hundred protesters — some armed, a few carrying large wooden crosses — gather to stand in support of the veteran. Members of the Oath Keepers and the Three Percenters of Idaho, another patriot group, both show up. The Bonner County sheriff stands in solidarity with the protesters.

"I'm here today because I believe Priest River is the next battleground for the federal government," Scott announces at the start of the rally. "It's a war against our vets."

But the VA didn't come to take the veteran's guns — the VA doesn't do that. Instead, Bryan Hult, Bonner County's local advocate for veterans, arrives and suggests there'd been a misunderstanding.

"I called [Arnold] to visit with him to clarify what the letter said, period," Hult tells the Inlander.

Scott later reports that the VA was working with Arnold to restore his gun rights.

Shea is ecstatic.

"They ran in fear from Heather Scott!" he proclaims on a2016 podcast.

Accolades shower down. The American Legion gives Scott a "Certificate of Appreciation." Shea and his Washington legislator allies give her their "2015 Statesman of the Year Award," featuring a Don't-Tread-On-Me rattlesnake coiled against an American flag backdrop.

In this YouTube scscreengrab, Heather Scott sits with Vietnam Vet John Arnold after a rally in support of Arnold's Second Amendment rights.

Ben Olson, publisher of the Sandpoint Reader in Scott's district, says the Priest River rally significantly raised Scott's profile in the Redoubt.

"That really launched her within the patriot movement and the Christian conservative crowd," Olson says. "They look to her for guidance."

The next flashpoint, however, wouldn't be so bloodless.

CODE NAME: GREENBEAN

On Dec. 11, 2015, Shea sends out a COWS press release, decrying the imprisonment of Dwight and Steven Hammond, two ranchers in Harney County, Oregon. The release — which lists Scott as the group's Idaho coordinator — accuses the BLM of waging a "war on rural America" through "bureaucratic terrorism."

That same day, COWS works with Cliven Bundy's son, Ammon Bundy, to publish a "Redress of Grievance," demanding Oregon and Harney County officials intervene to help the Hammonds.

And then on Jan. 2, 2016, Ammon makes a move even the Oath Keepers organization condemns — seizing Harney County's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters with a group of armed protesters.

The next day, Shea puts out a Facebook statement once againaccusing the BLM of "bureaucratic terrorism," but noting that the Hammonds have "rejected any help from COWS" so their "vast network of patriots" has not been involved.

But behind the scenes, Shea has a plan. COWS has "intelligence assets," he writes in one internal message, "on-site providing real time intelligence."

He works from a similar template as Operation Armed Backyard. This time, he calls it "Operation Cold Reality," and sends it to a list of allies, including "Greenbean" — Scott's code name within Shea's network.

Shea's goal is not only to convince the federal government to "stand down" without violence, he writes in various memos, but to "re-establish legitimate leadership over Patriot Movement" and to pursue "the Vision of Restoring a God-Honoring Constitutional Republic."

The COWS would lead a negotiating team, Shea writes. "Greenbean" would "drive to Burns from Boise for linkup."

So she does: Scott invites her legislative seatmate Rep. Sage Dixon and Idaho Rep. Judy Boyle on a fact-finding trip.

As they drive down, Dixon thinks about the Ruby Ridge siege in North Idaho. In 1992, an FBI standoff ended in the deaths of three people and a dog and fanned the flames of the militia movement. It went down in his and Scott's district. In conflicts like these, he worries, "it usually ends up in somebody dying." He wants to do what he can to prevent that.

Shea, the three Idaho legislators, and other members of COWS walk into the Harney County courthouse to meet with County Judge Steve Grasty and other local officials. The group presents themselves as potential negotiators, urging the county officials to make concessions and, at least on one occasion, accuses the BLM of terrorism. Grasty is unpersuaded.

"Get these criminals — and they are terrorists — out of my county!" Grasty declares.

Scott objects.

"By calling these people criminals and terrorists, that is just going to escalate this even further. I think that's very dangerous," Scott tells Grasty. "I see citizens that are pushed to their limits and they have no other options. ... I live in a rural area, everyone has a gun. Not everyone is a terrorist."

At the time, Dixon says, he didn't know Scott was part of COWS. Neither did Grasty.

"I didn't realize it until a couple of weeks later, that 'Holy crap, this group was one of the instigators,'" Grasty tells the Inlander.

Back then, Grasty repeatedly urged the group not to meet with the occupiers, warning them it would be dangerous and they could inadvertently boost the occupiers' resolve. The Idaho legislators, after praying about it, go anyway.

"These lawmakers have shown great courage to support us," Oregon occupier LaVoy Finicum says, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Finicum is killed on Jan. 26, 2016, less than three weeks after meeting with the legislators — shot by law enforcement officers at a roadblock after he'd reached for a pocket that contained a handgun.

The days that follow risk more bloodshed: Refuge occupier Sean Anderson, a central Idaho resident, screams on YouTube, demanding that the American people converge upon the refuge, and that "if they stop you from getting here,."

And as the FBI tries to get Anderson and the other holdouts to turn themselves in on the final night of the 41-day standoff, a terrified Anderson makes another call to arms on arecording over the internet, urging listeners tocontact "the Idaho 3-percenters, and tell 'em that they're here to kill us!"

Ultimately, it was a member of COWS — Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore — who helps talk Anderson and the others into giving themselves up peacefully. Toward the end, Fiore congratulates the four holdouts for making history and assuring them that their call to action was being answered.

"There are all of the legislators who stand with you... they're all coming here," Fiore says, naming Boyle and Scott as two from Idaho. "These are your people."

Shortly after the standoff ends, Redoubt News' Dovale records awith Scott and other COWS members in a Harney County parking lot.

"We've been involved in this since day one, in parts of the negotiations," Scott says, smiling and praising Fiore as a "star." "We're just very pleased it ended peacefully."

The takeaway?

"You have God-given rights and you need to exercise those rights so we don't lose those rights," Scott tells Dovale.

THE HEATHER CHANNEL

Pounder, for his part, sees Scott as more of a passenger — albeit one in the front seat — in the patriot and Redoubt movements than a driver.

"She's kind of this follower," Pounder says. "She's not a strong leader. She takes orders from Matt and executes those orders."

Yet Scott is part of the club. She's invited to a clandestine meeting — disguised over email as a "family picnic" — where Shea distributes documents discussing topics like "biblical warfare," assassination, sabotage and designing a new society after a governmental collapse. She's included in Shea's encrypted "Redoubt Emergency Network," a chat where his fellow patriots discuss Antifa riots, try to ferret out traitors and leakers and, on occasion, fantasize about violently attacking their foes.

When the chat turns to opponents of Shea's dream of turning Eastern Washington into a 51st state, Schmidt muses about the appeal of "skull stomping godless communists" and Scott jokes that that "sounds like the name of a rock band."

Pounder knows the feeling. He was part of those chats, too.

"You truly feel like you're part of a family. You're part of something important and big and be able to reshape what America is," Pounder recalls. "But you don't realize that family's really dysfunctional when you look beneath the surface."

But sometimes others look beneath the surface.

Heather Scott is "a kind individual who loves her community, who loves people, but is being led by people who don't love people — they love power."

In December, at the request of Washington state House, the independent Rampart Groupinvestigative team released a 108-page report examining whether Shea promoted political violence. And it's all laid out: The secret meetings, the violent chats, the God and Country rallies, the Oath Keepers and the Oregon standoff.

Scott's name appears in the report at least 20 times. When the investigators look at the documents Shea prepared for the Priest River rally, they conclude that the organizers were probably "preparing for a conflict that carried with it a significant risk of violence."

While Shea has suffered in the world of the state Legislature since the report's release, in the world of the Redoubt, he's portrayed as the noble victim of a vicious smear. In particular, his defenders scoff at the portrayal of the Priest River rally as an "armed conflict."

Meanwhile, Bedke, the Idaho House speaker, says he hasn't read the report yet. "I pulled it up, but I just didn't have time to wade through it," he says.

If he had, he would have read a report that portrays Scott as a legislator who repeatedly teamed up with Shea as he ascended in the patriot movement by instigating conflicts that risked "bloodshed and loss of life." The Idaho Statesman, for one, has called for the Idaho House to "thoroughly investigate the charges" against Scott and to "take the appropriate actions."

The Redoubt, of course, has a much different take: When asked for an interview for this story, Radio Free Redoubt host Schmidt replied that "Heather is a patriot, a Christian, and has a huge heart for her community and her country, unlike you, you opportunistic turd."

Among the constituents who keep reelecting her, Scott is seen as a breath of fresh air, willing to take on career politicians in the name of liberty.

To a moderate former legislator like Malek, Scott is someone who sabotages the complicated legislative process by spreading misinformation that "creates divisiveness, creates fear, creates anger."

To Pounder, Scott is "a kind individual who loves her community, who loves people, but is being led by people who don't love people — they love power."

To Scott and Shea, all these varied reactions are evidence of the same thing: proof they're in the right. When they succeed, they see it as evidence that they're effective. When they fail, they see it as evidence that they're so effective that dark forces are conspiring to stop them.

Scott describes to Shea in a 2016 podcast how the left comes after people like them: First they try to marginalize you. Then they try to demonize you, then to litigate you and then they try to criminalize you.

"It's a good versus evil thing," Scott says. "It's Satanic."

"It really is," Shea says. "It's a grand conspiracy of evil."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Daniel Walters, born and raised in Spokane, has been writing for the Inlander since 2008. In that time, he's written about Rep. Matt Shea's feud with the Spokane County sheriff, death threats wolf lovers sent to Washington state employees, and about how chemtrails aren't actually a thing. He can be reached at danielw@inlander.com.

wapo no lnx

A GOP state legislator helped plan an armed occupation in Oregon, investigators say, calling it ‘domestic terrorism’

Matt Shea once introduced legislation to cut Washington state in half to establish a “Liberty State” in deep-red eastern Washington, where citizens would have unfettered access to guns, and church and state would walk hand-in-hand. (Ted S. Warren/AP)

By Katie Shepherd

Dec. 20, 2019

On Jan. 2, 2016, in a remote stretch of southeastern Oregon, a cadre of anti-government militiamen carrying pistols and long guns stationed themselves at the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, a federally owned park. Their armed occupation ended 41 days later with one protester shot dead by police and more than two dozen others facing federal charges.

Now, investigators commissioned by the Washington State House of Representatives say the anti-government occupiers had a high-profile accomplice: a Republican state legislator known for his extremist views.

An official report released late Thursday found that Washington state Rep. Matt Shea (R) had “participated in an act of domestic terrorism.”

Shea, whose ties to the Patriot movement and anti-government militias were explored “Bundyville: The Remnant,” once introduced legislation to cut Washington state in half to establish a “Liberty State” in deep-red eastern Washington where citizens would have unfettered access to guns, and church and state would walk hand-in-hand. The new report found that he had close relationships with members of armed militias and used them to intimidate opponents.

Soon after the Washington state House of Representatives received the report on Thursday, the state’s House Republican Caucus erased Shea from its website and severed ties with the six-term legislator who represents Spokane Valley, a suburb that stretches from Spokane’s edges to the Idaho border. Shea was stripped of his committee assignments and denounced by caucus leadership.

“He should resign,” Washington State House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox (R) wrote on Twitter. “He cannot use House Republican staff, he cannot meet with the caucus, his office will be moved.”

Spokane Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, who has feuded with Shea for years, told a local reporter: “I believe there’s enough to charge Shea with domestic terrorism, if not treason.”

Shea refused to speak to the authors of the report. He rarely speaks to reporters and ignored interview requests from local journalists Thursday. The lawmaker did not return calls and emails from The Washington Post. However, he took to Facebook to speak directly to his core supporters, who showered him with prayers and support in the comments.

“Like we are seeing with our President this is a sham investigation meant to silence those of us who stand up against attempts to disarm and destroy our great country,” Shea wrote late Thursday. “I will not back down, I will not give in, I will not resign. Stand strong fellow Patriots.”

Many of the findings laid out in Thursday’s report had been previously documented by journalists covering the Pacific Northwest since Shea first won a seat in the state legislature in 2008. The report includes 17 pages of references, which point to news articles from the Spokesman-Review, Inlander, Oregon Public Broadcasting and the Guardian, among others.

The report, authored by independent investigators with “extensive experience in career law enforcement” from Rampart Group, found that Shea had used “intimidation tactics” against a political opponent, “condoned violence,” and “engaged in counterintelligence gathering and acted in opposition to the lawful efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement.”

In 2012, investigators found, Shea went to the home of a Democrat challenging him in an election and took a photo in front of the house. He posted the photo on Facebook, including the location of the nearest intersection, and refused to delete the post. “Shea engaged in intimidation tactics against a political opponent,” the report said. “The posting was viewed as a direct act of intimidation and threat.”

That same year, he flashed an unlicensed gun at a driver during a road rage incident but avoided criminal charges.

In private chats with far-right extremists, Shea offered to perform background checks on political rivals, advocated for spying on activists, and encouraged violence against his perceived enemies, the Guardian reported in April.

He also authored, “The Biblical Basis of War,” a four-page document that encouraged training adults and children to fight in a holy war, the report said. “If they do not yield,” Shea wrote of an imagined enemy, “kill all males.” Shea publicly admitted to writing the document, which he claimed were sermons on the history of warfare in the Bible.

In late 2015, Shea formed the Coalition of Western States, or COWS, a group of right-wing lawmakers in the West with ties to sovereign citizens and rogue ranchers who refuse to pay grazing fees to feed their cattle on federally owned land. Oregon Public Broadcasting’s John Sepulvado first reported the likely coordination between COWS, led by Shea, and the leaders of the Malheur occupation. But Thursday’s 108-page investigation revealed new details that tie Shea to the early stages of planning and accused him of distributing military-style operation plans to the occupiers.

Multiple witnesses told the independent investigators that Shea joined four phone conversations with anti-government militant Ammon Bundy and other Patriot-movement leaders to plan the occupation at the Malheur refuge to protest the arrest of two Oregon ranchers. Those men had been found guilty of arson after setting fires on public land to obscure the illegal slaughter of deer. While the armed occupiers lived in the national refuge headquarters, Shea, an Army veteran, emailed at least two detailed plans advising the armed militia members how to continue their standoff with federal agents, the report said.

One week into the standoff, Shea and several other legislators from COWS traveled to Burns, Ore., to question the sheriff and pressure him to intervene on behalf of the militia groups. Shea referred to the federal Bureau of Land Management as “terrorists”during the conversation, the report said.

On the last day of the occupation, after police fatally shot one of the right-wing protesters, Shea wrote on his Facebook page: “After much prayer, I am afraid violence might be necessary to take back our country.”

State legislators have sent the investigation’s findings to the FBI, the Seattle Times reported.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) denounced Shea, calling the report “disturbing” and “unacceptable.”

Others officials are calling for action.

“This is about a state lawmaker who, according to the investigative findings, engaged in an act of domestic terrorism rather than choosing political or legal avenues to change laws and policies he disagrees with,” Democratic House Speaker Laurie Jinkins told the Times. “This is why we believe formal action needs to be taken that sends a clear message upholding the values of a free and democratic society, and supports the safety of all Washingtonians.”

https://www.alternet.org/2019/12/gop-lawmaker-invokes-trump-impeachment-while-refusing-to-resign-from-washington-state-legislature-after-investigators-say-he-engaged-in-domestic-terrorism/

[trms local sheriff not buying academic nature of plan]

1219 an no lnx

GOP lawmaker invokes Trump impeachment and refuses to resign from Washington state legislature after investigators accuse him of ‘domestic terrorism’

Written by Alex Henderson December 20, 2019

Washington State Rep. Matt Shea is so extreme that he’s controversial even among fellow Republicans and the far-right Tea Party, and both Democrats and Republicans in Washington’s state legislature are calling for his resignation following the release of a report accusing him of participation in an “act of domestic terrorism.”

The 108-page report, according to the Spokane Spokesman-Review, was delivered to the Washington House of Representatives on Thursday and was based on a four-month investigation — which found that Shea’s role in the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016 amounted to “an act of domestic terrorism against the United States.” The report’s findings are being forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the report states, “was meticulously planned in December 2015 by conspirators that included Rep. Shea.”

Republican J.T. Wilcox, minority leader in the Washington House of Representatives, said of Shea, “He absolutely should resign. His role as a House Republican is over.”

Rep. Matt Shea has been suspended from any role in the House Republican Caucus. He should resign. He cannot use House Republican staff, he cannot meet with the caucus, his office will be moved. https://t.co/AATHOHuO31

— Rep. JT Wilcox (@jtwilcox111) December 20, 2019

But Shea has so far refused to resign. On his Facebook page, the 45-year-old Republican compared calls for his resignation to the impeachment of President Donald Trump — writing, “Like we are seeing with our president, this is a sham investigationmeant to silence those of us who stand up against attempts to disarm and destroy our great country. I will not back down, I will not give in, I will not resign. Stand strong, fellow patriots.”

The investigation of Shea addressed in the report was conducted by the Seattle-based firm the Rampart Group, which was hired by members of the Washington House of Representatives and is headed by a former FBI agent.

In Washington State, Shea is infamous for his Christianist and anti-Muslim views and his support of armed militia groups. And not unlike Islamists who advocate sharia law, Shea has called for the U.S. to become an authoritarian Christian theocracy.

The report noted that in a document titled “Biblical Basis for War,” Shea “advocated the replacement of U.S. democracy with a theocracy and the killing of all males who do not agree.”

https://www.alternet.org/2019/08/gop-lawmaker-made-videos-for-extremist-group-that-provided-biblical-training-for-christian-fundamentalists-leaked-e-mails/

GOP lawmaker made videos for extremist group that provided ‘biblical training’ for Christian fundamentalists: leaked e-mails

Written by Alex Henderson August 14, 2019

In Washington State’s legislature, Rep. Matt Shea is controversial even among fellow Republicans: he has distributed white supremacist Christian Identity literature and openly advocated violence against Muslims, gays and others he considers enemies of the United States. And according to a report by Jason Wilson for the Guardian, Shea has enthusiastically encouraged an extremist group called Team Rugged.

E-mails obtained by the Guardian show that Shea was in close contact with Team Rugged in 2016. Team Rugged, Wilson reports, offered training in “biblical warfare” to young Christian fundamentalist men — and that training included advice on ways in which guns and knives could be used on enemies. Shea, according to Wilson, made videos on behalf of the group.

The e-mails, Wilson reports, began in July 2016, when Shea corresponded with Team Rugged’s Patrick Caughran. In one of the e-mails,Team Rugged is described as a way “to provide patriotic and biblical training on war for young men.” Caughran said of Team Rugged, “Everything about it is both politically incorrect and what would be considered shocking truth to most modern Christians.”

In the e-mails, Caughran sounds a lot like a member of al-Qaeda, ISIS (Islamic State, Iraq and Syria) or Boko Haram — only instead of promoting a violent Islamist jihad, he is promoting armed training and holy war for fundamentalist Christians. And one person who is cited as an inspiration in the e-mails is the Georgia-based Rev. John Weaver, a neo-Confederate extremist who the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has described as a “leading proponent” of “training Christians for armed battle.”

Weaver, according to the SPLC, has given weapons training to the League of the South— a neo-Confederate group that marched with neo-Nazis and white supremacists in the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in August 2017.

Caughran, in the e-mail communications with Shea, explained that Team Rugged’s training would show young Christian fundamentalist men “how to work better as a team, both in achieving physically demanding tasks and on the battlefield.” Training, Caughran explained, would include “combatives, the use of a knife in defense, close quarters shooting with rifle and pistol and how to work effectively in teams of two, three and four.”

Caughran, according to Wilson’s report, asked Shea to promote its activities on Facebook. And in a 2017 video posted on his Facebook page, Shea interviewed members of Team Rugged and described the group as “returning to basic patriot principles.”

In 2018, Wilson notes, Shea sparked a major controversy in Washington State when he distributed a Christian Identity white supremacist document called “Biblical Basis for War” — which calls for Christian fundamentalist holy war and advocates the killing of all males who support abortion or same-sex marriage.

One of the Washington State Republicans who has been a vehement critic of Shea is Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich. In an interview with the Guardian, Knezovich asserted that the militaristic armed training Shea favors for young Christian fundamentalists “almost sounds like going back to the Hitler Youth concept.”

Knezovich told the Guardian, “There are lines that should never crossed. When you indoctrinate children in radicalized hate, then we wonder why we have the kind of shootings and bombings that we have around the world.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea

Matthew Thomas Shea (born April 18, 1974) is an American politician and attorney. A Republican, he serves in the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 4th Legislative District.

In October 2018, Shea acknowledged that he had distributed a four page manifesto which called for the killing of non-Christian males if a war were to occur and they do not agree to follow fundamentalist biblical law.^[1][2] Shea was referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for investigation as a result.^[3] In April 2019, Shea was removed as State House Republican Caucus Chair for advocating violence against religious minorities and offering state surveillance of political enemies to members of hate groups.^[4] An investigative report commissioned by the House found that Shea "participated in an act of domestic terrorism against the United States", having organized and supported "three armed conflicts of political violence."^[5] He was subsequently ejected from the House Republican Caucus.^[6]though he refused to resign.^[11]

Early life and education

Shea graduated from high school in Bellingham, Washington before receiving a bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University in 1996 and a law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2006.^[7]

Military career

In 1996, Shea entered the U.S. Army as a second Lieutenant, spending ten years in the service; he was deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, and Kuwait. Shea left the Army in 2006 as a Captain.

Political career

Shea was first elected to office in 2008.^[8] He was re-elected in 2012, in 2014, and in 2016.^[9][10][11]

Shea hosts Patriot Radio, a twice-weekly show broadcast on the American Christian Network.^[12]

Shea endorsed Ron Paul during the 2012 Republican presidential primaries.^[13]

Shea was a co-founder and director of the Washington Family Foundation, a socially conservative advocacy group.^[14] He was also a board member of the anti-same-sex marriage group Protect Marriage Washington, and during his first time in office introduced legislation seeking to block the recognition of same-sex marriage in Washington.^[15]

Shea is a founding member and current chairman of the Coalition of Western States.^[16] In an interview, Shea stated that COWS's goals are to "facilitate the transfer of public lands back to the state level, and to have the states and counties manage the land".^[17] During the 2014 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Shea and other COWS members traveled to Burns, Oregon, allegedly attempting to negotiate on behalf of the militants occupying the reserve.^[18] In 2015, Shea supported Idaho Representative Heather Scott, a fellow COWS member, in a protest near the home of John Arnold. Arnold had received a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs stating the VA had found him mentally incompetent, and protesters worried that his right to own firearms may have been impacted by the VA's findings.^[19]

Shea organized the Spokane chapter of ACT! for America, an anti-Muslim organization designated as a hate group by Southern Poverty Law Center.^[20][21]

As a state legislator, Shea introduced House Memorials in 2015 and 2017 to create a new State of Liberty from Eastern Washington.^[22]

Controversies

News articles about Shea have related to angry outbursts at his legislative office, and a report claiming that he was disarmed by a commander while he served in Iraq due to anger management issues.^[23]

Differences between Shea and Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich resulted in Shea stating "the Southern Poverty Law Center—and the sheriff (Knezovich) that backs them—is the most dangerous organization in this country". Knezovich is a Republican, like Shea.^[24]

Shea has often clashed with journalists, referring to reporters as "dirty, godless, hateful people" at an August 2018 gun-rights rally.^[25] He refers to local newspapers as the "Socialist-Review" (Spokesman-Review) and the "Inslander" (Inlander).^[26] Shea's contentious history with the press has attracted particular attention because he is one of eight state legislators on a Washington Legislature task force dealing with state public records laws and exemptions to them.^[25]

"Biblical Basis for War" manifesto

In late October 2018, Shea acknowledged that he had distributed a document described as a "four-page manifesto" titled Biblical Basis for War that listed strategies that a "Holy Army" could employ.

The document, consisting of 14 sections divided into bullet points, had a section on "rules of war" that stated "make an offer of peace before declaring war", which within stated that the enemy must "surrender on terms" of no abortions, no same-sex marriage, no communism and "must obey Biblical law", then continued: "If they do not yield — kill all males". Shea acknowledged the document and claimed that it was a summary of "biblical sermons on war."^[1][2][27] The Spokesman-Review reported: "After the document was leaked online Tuesday [10/23/18], the Spokane Valley Republican insisted he was not promoting violence and that the message had been taken out of context. 'First of all, it was a summary of a series of sermons on biblical war in the Old Testament as part of a larger discussion on the history of warfare.' Shea said in a Facebook Live video on Wednesday. 'This document, in and of itself, was not a secret. I’ve actually talked about portions of this document publicly.'"^[28] Spokane County Sheriff Knezovich alerted the FBI to the manifesto and said that the statements made in the manifesto are consistent with a racist, anti-Semitic, and white supremacist ideology known as Christian Identity, which seeks to establish a "white homeland" in the US northwest.^[2][3]

Violent right-wing chat group

In April 2019, The Guardian published records from a right-wing chat group of four people that Shea participated in, where Shea used an alias of ‘True Warrior’ in Latin. Other members in the chat group discussed carrying out surveillance, intimidation and violent attacks on political enemies, including Antifa activists and "communists". Shea himself volunteered to conduct background checks on residents of Spokane, resulting in Shea naming three individuals. One of the chat group's members forwarded the information to The Guardian, while another confirmed the existence of the chats and acknowledged the discussion on conducting surveillance on "Antifa" people.^[29] The Guardian published a second set of emails in August that tied Shea to an organization called Team Rugged, which aimed to train young men for "biblical warfare".^[30][31]

Political violence

An investigation commissioned by Washington House of Representatives found that Shea had planned and participated in domestic terrorism on at least three occasions. This included his participation, planning, and promotion of the 2014 Bundy standoff in Nevada, the 2015 armed conflict in Priest River, Idaho, and the 2016 armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge^[5] Shortly after the investigative findings were released, Shea was stripped of committees and suspended from having any role in the House Republican caucus. House Republican leader J.T. Wilcox called on him to resign.^[6][32]

House leadership forwarded the report to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington and the FBI.^[6] Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich stated that he believes there is enough evidence "to charge Shea with domestic terrorism, if not treason."^[33] The sheriff also stated that he is worried that arresting Shea would lead to an armed standoff, and that he has contacted the FBI regarding this concern.^[33]

Following the public release of the report, Shea issued a statement to local news station KREM claiming he had "been denied any opportunity to review and respond to its results which are still unknown to me."^[34] He wrote in a Facebook post: "Like we are seeing with our President this is a sham investigation meant to silence those of us who stand up against attempts to disarm and destroy our great country. I will not back down, I will not give in, I will not resign."^[34][35]

Personal life

Matt Shea was divorced from his first wife in January 2008.^[14] His first wife Lisa was granted a protective order by a court after filing court documents complaining that Shea treated her "as a possession," and was physically and emotionally abusive. Lisa's brother-in-law testified in court documents that he saw Matt grabbing Lisa "very hard and violently" and pushed her into a vehicle. She attested that Matt "insisted she walk on his left side because his sword, if he had one, would be on his right side," forbade her from writing a church bulletin, and protested that he would not seek profitable employment despite being a lawyer.^[14] Shea denied any physical abuse, called his ex-wife a "product of the foster care system", and said it this was her third divorce.^[14] Matt Shea subsequently remarried.^[7]

In November 2011, Shea allegedly "pulled a gun during a confrontation with another motorist" in what police reports described as an incident of road rage.^[36] Shea was initially charged with possessing a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a concealed weapons permit; the charge was ultimately resolved under a "stipulated order of continuance," in which "Shea paid a $75 fee and agreed that the information in the police report is correct" and the charge was dismissed after the passage of one year with no criminal violations.^[36]

8 22

Shea married Lisa Jenn in 2002.^[58] They were divorced in January 2008.^[59][19] She was granted a protective order by a court after filing court documents stating her husband treated her "as a possession," and was physically and emotionally abusive. Her brother-in-law testified in court documents that he saw Matt Shea grabbing her "very hard and violently" and pushing her into a vehicle.

Lisa Shea attested that Matt "insisted she walk on his left side because his sword, if he had one, would be on his right side," and forbade her from writing a church bulletin. She also complained that he had expected her to support him financially during and after his time in law school, but that he would not seek profitable employment even after graduating from law school.^[19] Shea denied any physical abuse, called his ex-wife a "product of the foster care system", and said this was her third divorce.^[19]

Shea married his second wife, the Ukrainian-born Viktoriya Vinnikova, shortly after the divorce.^[60]

References

^ :{Jump up to::(style="user-select:none;top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);overflow:hidden;position:absolute !important;padding:0px !important;border:0px !important;height:1px !important;width:1px !important"):}:^a ^b(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-FBIscrutiny_1-1) "Washington State Lawmaker's 'Holy Army' Manifesto Prompts FBI Scrutiny". The Daily Beast. November 1, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
^ :{Jump up to::(style="user-select:none;top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);overflow:hidden;position:absolute !important;padding:0px !important;border:0px !important;height:1px !important;width:1px !important"):}:^a ^b(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-Seattle_Times_Manifesto_2-1) ^c(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-Seattle_Times_Manifesto_2-2) Sokol, Chad (November 2, 2018). "Washington state lawmaker Matt Shea defends advocacy for 'Holy Army' as Spokane sheriff refers his writings to FBI". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
^ :{Jump up to::(style="user-select:none;top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);overflow:hidden;position:absolute !important;padding:0px !important;border:0px !important;height:1px !important;width:1px !important"):}:^a ^b(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-DistributedPaper_3-1) "Lawmaker Says He Distributed 'Biblical Basis for War' Paper". U.S. News & World Report. AP. November 1, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
^ https://www.khq.com/news/wa-lt-gov-cyrus-habib-announces-rep-matt-shea-has/article_7912fbf2-80ea-5acc-b039-0bf3d7a99da1.html
^ :{Jump up to::(style="user-select:none;top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);overflow:hidden;position:absolute !important;padding:0px !important;border:0px !important;height:1px !important;width:1px !important"):}:^a ^b(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-:0_5-1) Loedler, Kathy; Loedler, Paul (December 1, 2019). "Report of Investigation Regarding Representative Matt Shea". Washington State House of Representatives. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
^ :{Jump up to::(style="user-select:none;top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);overflow:hidden;position:absolute !important;padding:0px !important;border:0px !important;height:1px !important;width:1px !important"):}:^a ^b(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-:2_6-1) ^c(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-:2_6-2) Gutman, David; O'Sullivan, Joseph (December 19, 2019). "Washington Rep. Matt Shea engaged in domestic terrorism against U.S., says state House report". Seattle Times. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
^ :{Jump up to::(style="user-select:none;top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);overflow:hidden;position:absolute !important;padding:0px !important;border:0px !important;height:1px !important;width:1px !important"):}:^a ^b(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-Center_7-1) Election Center: Matt Shea, Spokesman-Review.
^ "2009 Cappys honor legislators and unforgettable moments | HeraldNet.com". HeraldNet.com. April 25, 2009. Retrieved May 13,2018.
^ "November 8, 2016 General Election Results - Legislative District 4 - State Representative Pos. 1 County Breakdown". results.vote.wa.gov. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
^ "Spokane County November 4, 2014 General Election". results.vote.wa.gov. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
^ "Legislative District 04". results.vote.wa.gov. Retrieved January 17,2017.
^ "American Christian Network". www.acn.cc. Retrieved January 17,2017.
^ "Ron Paul: Press Release - Ron Paul Endorsed By Washington State Rep. Matt Shea". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. Retrieved January 17,2017.
^ :{Jump up to::(style="user-select:none;top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);overflow:hidden;position:absolute !important;padding:0px !important;border:0px !important;height:1px !important;width:1px !important"):}:^a ^b(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-Craig_14-1) ^c(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-Craig_14-2) ^d(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-Craig_14-3) John Craig, Divorced candidate promotes family values, July 31, 2008.
^ Dominic Holden, Know Thy Enemy: Meet the Four Men Most Obsessed with Stopping Gay Marriage in Washington State, The Stranger (June 4, 2009).
^ "Home - Coalition of Western States". Coalition of Western States. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
^ "Coalition Of Western States forms to Protect Against Federal Overreach | Radio Free Redoubt". radiofreeredoubt.com. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
^ Sepulvado, John. "Republican Politicians Planned And Participated In Key Aspects Of Refuge Occupation". www.opb.org. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
^ "Vet fights for gun rights". Retrieved January 17, 2017.
^ "Washington state lawmaker under fire for biblical war 'manifesto:{':(style="padding-right:0.2em"):}:". KIRO-FM. November 2, 2018.
^ Leah Sottile, Something's Brewing in the Deep Red West, Rolling Stone (October 23, 2018).
^ Katie Herzog (November 9, 2018), "Rep. Matt Shea Wants to Split Washington State in Two", The Stranger
^ "McCaslin blasts Shea as possible successor for state Senate seat". Spokesman.com. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
^ Walters, Daniel. "Manufacturing Fear". Inlander. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
^ :{Jump up to::(style="user-select:none;top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);overflow:hidden;position:absolute !important;padding:0px !important;border:0px !important;height:1px !important;width:1px !important"):}:^a ^b(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-O'Sullivan_25-1) Joseph O'Sullivan (August 20, 2018). "Washington lawmaker on public-records task force calls journalists 'those dirty, godless, hateful people:{':(style="padding-right:0.2em"):}:". The Seattle Times.
^ "After years of controversy, Rep. Matt Shea no longer part of House Republican leadership". Inlander. November 29, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
^ Bowden, John. "FBI investigating Washington state rep. for manifesto urging 'all males' will be killed". The Hill. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
^ Chad Sokol, https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/oct/26/rep-matt-shea-takes-credit-criticism-for-document-/The Spokesman-Review (October 31, 2018).
^ Wilson, Jason (April 20, 2019). "Republican discussed violent attacks and surveillance with rightwingers". The Guardian. Retrieved April 20,2019.
^ Wilson, Jason (August 14, 2019). "Revealed: Republican lawmaker aided group training young men for 'biblical warfare:{':(style="padding-right:0.2em"):}:". The Guardian. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
^ Sokol, Chad (August 15, 2019). "Rep. Matt Shea endorsed training children to fight in holy war". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
^ Luck, Melissa (December 19, 2019). "Rep. Matt Shea removed from caucus, report sent to FBI and U.S. Attorney". KXLY. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
^ :{Jump up to::(style="user-select:none;top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);overflow:hidden;position:absolute !important;padding:0px !important;border:0px !important;height:1px !important;width:1px !important"):}:^a ^b(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-Buck_33-1) Buck, Colette (December 19, 2019). "Sheriff Knezovich: "I believe there's enough evidence to charge Rep. Shea with domestic terrorism:{':(style="padding-right:0.2em"):}:". KHQ. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
^ :{Jump up to::(style="user-select:none;top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);overflow:hidden;position:absolute !important;padding:0px !important;border:0px !important;height:1px !important;width:1px !important"):}:^a ^b(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-Riordan_34-1) Riordan, Kaitlin; Smay, Ian; Decker, Casey (December 19, 2019). ":{':(style="padding-left:0.2em"):}:I will not back down': Rep. Matt Shea, accused of 'domestic terrorism,' refuses to resign". KREM 2 News. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
^ Shepherd, Katie (December 20, 2019). "A GOP state legislator helped plan an armed occupation in Oregon, investigators say, calling it 'domestic terrorism:{':(style="padding-right:0.2em"):}:". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 20,2019.
^ :{Jump up to::(style="user-select:none;top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);overflow:hidden;position:absolute !important;padding:0px !important;border:0px !important;height:1px !important;width:1px !important"):}:^a ^b(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Shea#cite_ref-:1_36-1) "Legislator pulled gun during road incident". Spokesman.com. Retrieved January 17, 2017.

show

Members of the Washington House of Representatives

Categories:

https://YYY.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/20/matt-shea-rightwing-messages-chat-records

Republican politician took part in private discussions with rightwing figures about carrying out surveillance, “psyops” and even violent attacks on perceived political enemies, according to chat records obtained by the Guardian.

State representative Matt Shea, who represents Spokane Valley in the Washington state house, participated in the chats with three other men. All of the men used screen aliases – Shea’s was “Verum Bellator”, Latin for true warrior. The Guardian confirmed the identity of those in the chat by cross-checking phone numbers attached to the Signal accounts.

Intelligence report appeared to endorse view leftwing protesters were 'terrorists'

The group included Jack Robertson, who broadcasts a far-right radio show, Radio Free Redoubt, under the alias “John Jacob Schmidt”. The chat also included Anthony Bosworth, whose history includes a public altercation with his own daughter and bringing guns to a court house. Bosworth participated in the 2016 occupation of the Malheur national wildlife refuge, reportedly at Shea’s request.

The name of another participant, who provided the chat records to the Guardian, has been withheld due to concerns about personal safety.

The chats on the messaging app Signal took place in the days leading up to a supposed “Antifa revolt” on 4 November 2017. Throughout late October, far-right media outlets had been stoking fears of political conflict on the basis of planned peaceful protests by a small leftist group.

The men proposed to confront leftists – whom they repeatedly refer to as “communists” and “Antifa” – with a suite of tactics, including violence.

Other acts of extreme violence were also suggested. When a specific female Spokane resident was nominated for surveillance in the chat group, Robertson suggested:

Apart from violence, the men extensively discussed tactics of surveillance and intimidation.

Shea, the elected Republican legislator, did not demur from any of these suggestions. He also appeared willing to participate directly in surveillance of activists.

In response to a request in the chat for background checks on Spokane residents, Shea volunteered to help, going on to name three individuals – including an organizer for the liberal group Indivisible, and a college professor.

The men talked about the broad outlines of what they appeared to consider to be a looming civil war. They also discussed using symbols from what they understood to be Russian anti-communist groups as a way of spreading paranoia among their adversaries.

The group talked about making stickers and cards using skull and crossbones images from post-revolutionary Russian nationalist groups. After posting an image of a white army soldier holding such a banner, Bosworth remarked:

When the leftist revolt failed to materialize, Shea did not rethink his conspiratorial views and instead blamed the weather.

Shea, a six-term legislator and military veteran, came to international attention in 2018 after a document he authored surfaced laying out a “biblical basis for war”, which appeared to be a plan for an apocalyptic battle with people who practiced “same sex marriage” and “abortion”, and instructed: “If they do not yield, kill all males.”

Shea denied that the document meant what it appeared to say.

At that time, Shea lost donors, and he was stripped of his role as chair of the Republican caucus – though he was serving in this position at the time of the leaked chat.

But Shea has since regrouped, introducing bills to criminalize abortion and roll back gun laws, which other Republicans in Washington have supported. He has also continued pushing a plan for eastern Washington to secede and reconstitute as Liberty State. Robertson has also been a key architect of this campaign, and he and Shea have been regular guests on each other’s broadcasts.

Shea has long promoted conspiratorial views about the cooperation of leftists and Muslims in creating “counter-states” in the US. He has associated with conspiracy-minded far-right groups, and later this month will emcee a dinner for the anti-communist John Birch society in Couer D’Alene, Idaho.

In a telephone conversation with the Guardian, Robertson said: “I remember a discussion in response to Indivisible and Antifa groups that were planning to take to the streets,” but “I don’t recall the details”.

He denied surveilling his political opponents, but added: “If someone is in my community and they are threatening violence, I want to know more about them. That just makes sense.”

He also claimed that the apparent threats of violence were not authentic.

“A lot of people in private conversations say things tongue in cheek about what they would like to see happen to these people, but that is not setting a policy or establishing a protocol for people to carry things out.”

Some of Shea’s most prominent critics have been political conservatives. Spokane county’s Republican sheriff, Ozzie Knezovich, has repeatedly criticized Shea’s far-right ties.

“It’s part and parcel of what this group has been saying for years. I think if a state representative is condoning violence against his constituents then that person needs to be removed from office, and I hope the voters will do that at the next election.

“Matt Shea is a poor representative for the Republican party. Extremism on both sides is tearing this country apart,” Knezovich added.

Asked if the people around Shea were dangerous, Knezovich said: “Yes.”

US hate groups have seen ideas enter mainstream in Trump era, report finds

The Western States Center, a progressive organization, has also previously criticized Shea. Its executive director, Eric Ward, said via email: “The violent extremism that Representative Matt Shea espouses is a clear threat to our democratic institutions and has no place in mainstream political discourse.

“We call on Washington State Republican Party leaders to censure Representative Shea if these allegations are true.”

Shea did not respond to a request for comment.

After the Guardian contacted Robertson and Shea for comment Robertson spoke on Thursday night on the Spokane Christian radio station on which he and Shea broadcast weekly programs.

In a rambling broadcast, Robertson confirmed the existence of the chats, called the Guardian a “propagandist”, read biblical accounts of war and followed with: “If it comes time for war and it’s forced upon you, do you not want a leader who is going to surround himself with warriors? I do.

“There was talk about doing surveillance on some of these Antifa people. Not surveillance but just start copying and pasting their comments, keeping track of who’s who, keep track of where they live, where they work, but that never came to fruition,” he added.

===

10.Rules of War

a.Conduct a census of all able bodied males(18-‐45).i.Identify Exemptions(see above).ii.Appoint Captains of 10’s, 50’s, 100’sand 1000’s.b.Avoid blood shed if possible.c.Make an offer of Peace beforedeclaring war.i.Not a negotiation or compromise of righteousness.ii.Must surrender on terms of justice and righteousness:1.Stop all abortions;2.No same-‐sex marriage;3.No idolatry or occultism;4.No communism; and5.Must obey Biblical law.iii.If they yield –must pay share of workor taxes.iv.If they do not yield –kill all males.d.War is not waged against nations but against man (no scorched earth or Sherman’smarch to the sea).e.Cut down only non-‐food trees necessary for supplies (safeguard production over politicsor retribution).f.Do not attack or kill productive citizens. They areyour baseof supportafter the enemy is defeated.g.Law of Bootyi.½ went to those who fought.ii.½ went to those who didn’t.iii.Divide evenly to the individuals...each gives tribute to Lord.1.Tithe to Church & Ministry2.None to Government –Removes temptation to fight.3.May use your part to give to those who helped.4.Commanders received the same portion. If a greater portion then they would have an incentive to fight.11.OrganizationalStructure for Wara.Captains of 5/10/50/100/1000i.5 = Team Leader (Corporal)ii.10 = Squad Leader (Sergeant)iii.50 = Platoon Leader (Lieutenant/Sergeant First Class)iv.100 = Company Commander (Captain/First Sergeant)v.1000 = Battalion Commander (Colonel/Sergeant Major)b.Small Standing Army (Quick Reaction &Shell Leadership).c.Only Muster in War Time.

12.Biblically Dealing with Tyrannya.Tyranny is never a divinely appointed means of government.b.A tyrant is someone who rules without God.c.Tyranny is not a lawful form of government.d.“Godless civil rulers are no more than bands of robbers.” St. Aug.e.When the rule of law dies as sin prevails throughout the land, tyranny is not far behind.f.Book of Judges–Sin = Tyranny.g.Deuteronomy 28:1–Blessings for Obedience.h.Deuteronomy 28:15–Curses of Disobedience.i.Judges 3–The Lord will test you to see if you Obey Him.j.No such thing as “rebelling against tyranny.” RESTORATIONk.Deuteronomy 4:34–God brings His people out of tyranny.i.God doesn’t use majorities.The majority is usually wrong.ii.Hebrews 11:32–Heroes of Faith that conquered tyrants. l.Options:i.Use of Deception1.Not generally speaking only very specifically.2.Avoiding being an accomplice to sin.3.Do not owe the truth to someone who will abuse it.ii.Avoidance1.This does not mean cowardice.2.Conflict with tyranny also is preventing wickedness from harming property, lives, family when you don’t have the strength or resources to overcome.iii.Assassination& Sabotage1.Assassination to remove tyrants is just, not murder.2.2 Chron. 23:12–Dietrich Bonhoeffer –Plot forHitler.iv.Armed Resistance& Guerilla War.m.Considerations Before BeginningWar –Prayer & Contemplationi.Strengthand Resources.ii.Ability to go full-‐scale on a long-‐term basis to win.iii.Not a temporary action based on emotion.iv.Review the Declaration of Causes and Necessity.v.Reasonable hope of winning, God is on your side. If not wait.vi.Is God directing? Ex.33:14-‐15, 2 Chronicles7:14, Gamaliel.vii.People are tired of tyranny & sin w/ hearts set on Freedom? OR People accustomed tyrannyand don’t know who God is?viii.Micah–Patriots whowant to serve God not “libertine.”

13.Warrior Priestsa.Living Sacrifice.b.Intercession through prayer and action.c.Adam was told to tend and guard (“Abad & Shamar”).d.Warrior = Guardianship.e.2 Chronicles 23:8-‐9–Armed Guards & weapons in the tabernacle.f.Prayer Humility, Wisdom, Courage, and Protection. g.James 4:8–Draw nearto God and purge double mindedness.h.James 4:17–Not doing the right thing is sin.i.Proverbs 21:31–“Prepare your horse for battle, but the battle is the Lord’s.”14.Freedom is in Jesus Christ.Where the Spirit of God is,there is Liberty.

https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/04/23/alecs-washington-state-chair-discussed-violence-surveillance-against-constituents/

Washington State Rep. Matt Shea (R-Spokane) has found himself back in the spotlight again, this time for messages sent and received through the Signal app discussing acts of violence against and surveillance of left-wing activists, as revealed by The Guardian.lnx

Rep. Shea is the Washington state chair for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and has served on its Civil Justice Task Force.

In the private chats with far-right talk show host Jack Robertson and activist Anthony Bosworth, “The men proposed to confront leftists — whom they repeatedly refer to as ‘communists’ and ‘Antifa’ — with a suite of tactics, including violence,” The Guardian reported.[lnx]

The messages were exchanged in the heated lead-up to the alt-Right’s propaganda about an impending “Antifa revolution” on November 4, 2017 — something that in reality amounted to a handful of anti-Trump rallies.

According to the chat history, Robertson suggested extreme violence against a Spokane resident, one of Shea’s constituents, “Fist full of hair, and face slam, to a Jersey barrier. Treat em like communist revolutionaries. Then shave her bald with a K-Bar USMC field knife.”

Shea did not argue against torturing his constituent and instead offered to help with the effort by conducting background checks on Indivisible members and a professor, also constituents: “OK. What BG checks need to be done. Give me the list. All I have several names that have come up…Any info out there?”

The men also discussed civil war and “using symbols from what they understood to be Russian anti-communist groups as a way of spreading paranoia among their adversaries,” The Guardian found.

The Guardian report comes less than six months following the leak of Shea’s outline for holy war, entitled “Biblical Basis for War.”

As the Center for Media and Democracy reported, Shea’s manifesto advocated for the killing of all males if his radical agenda could not be achieved peacefully, the terms of which Shea laid out as a stop to all abortions, an end to same sex marriage, an end to idolatry, an end to communism, and replacing America’s current justice system with Biblical law.

Shea lost his position as Chair of the Republican Caucus after the holy war revelations, and many donors, including Avista, BNSF Railroad, and AT&T, cut ties with him.

ALEC, however, ignored calls for it to sever ties with Shea and, when he won reelection last November, renewed his post as its Washington state chair.

In addition to introducing bills this year to abolish abortion and deregulate firearms, Shea is sponsoring legislation to establish the new state of Liberty, formed by dividing the state of Washington east of the Cascade mountains. The goal of some white supremacist groups is to create a “white homeland” in the northwest states.

Shea will be the master of ceremonies at a John Birch Society (JBS) dinner in Idaho on April 26, where right-wing conspiracy theorist William F. Jasper will deliver an address entitled, “No Borders, No Nation.” JBS — whose cofounders include the Koch Brothers’ father, Fred, and the founder of the Bradley Foundation — is an extremist group that viewed the Civil Rights movement and the Equal Rights Amendment as communist plots.

Washington Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib has asked Republicans to “do the right thing and eject Matt Shea from their caucus. Obtaining background checks on people for the purpose of planning violence against them is a crime, and even offering to do so is clearly 100% unacceptable in the Legislature.”

ref

https://www.spokesman.com/documents/2018/oct/25/biblical-basis-war/

Biblical Basis for War1.God is a Warrior.2.When is the time for war? When God says its time...Prayer Council.3.Fight to win so you don’t have to fight again.4.4 Things to stay within God’s will:a.Holy Cause;b.Holy Leader;c.Holy Army; andd.Holy Camp.5.4 Ways to knowits time to fight:a.God reveals His will to the leader;b.Leader inquires of God...Prayer Council;c.God puts it on the hearts of the people; ord.God starts the fight.6.Things for a Holy Armya.Sacrifice/Worship/Prayer;b.Circumcision/Saved;c.Vow(consecration to the Lord);d.Trumpets/Ark;e.Atonement/Money; andf.Praise to God Before/During/After.7.5 Facts of War:a.War is a fact of life.b.God is with us and the battle is His.c.Numbers are inconsequential.d.Armaments are inconsequential.e.Isaiah 57:1–Why Righteous Men are Killed...8.4 Qualifications of a Warrior:a.18years old or older;b.Able bodiedMan;c.Single Minded in Battle; andd.Stable Home.9.5 Exemptionsfrom Service:a.Training Family –New Home;b.Newlyweds –New Wife;c.Farmer –New Crops;d.Scared –Fear Means a Lack of Faith (Offer to Leave); ore.Priests –Duty to Ministry in Temple.10.Rules of Wara.Conduct a census of all able bodied males(18-‐45).i.Identify Exemptions(see above).ii.Appoint Captains of 10’s, 50’s, 100’sand 1000’s.b.Avoid blood shed if possible.c.Make an offer of Peace beforedeclaring war.i.Not a negotiation or compromise of righteousness.ii.Must surrender on terms of justice and righteousness:1.Stop all abortions;2.No same-‐sex marriage;3.No idolatry or occultism;4.No communism; and5.Must obey Biblical law.iii.If they yield –must pay share of workor taxes.iv.If they do not yield –kill all males.d.War is not waged against nations but against man (no scorched earth or Sherman’smarch to the sea).e.Cut down only non-‐food trees necessary for supplies (safeguard production over politicsor retribution).f.Do not attack or kill productive citizens. They areyour baseof supportafter the enemy is defeated.g.Law of Bootyi.½ went to those who fought.ii.½ went to those who didn’t.iii.Divide evenly to the individuals...each gives tribute to Lord.1.Tithe to Church & Ministry2.None to Government –Removes temptation to fight.3.May use your part to give to those who helped.4.Commanders received the same portion. If a greater portion then they would have an incentive to fight.11.OrganizationalStructure for Wara.Captains of 5/10/50/100/1000i.5 = Team Leader (Corporal)ii.10 = Squad Leader (Sergeant)iii.50 = Platoon Leader (Lieutenant/Sergeant First Class)iv.100 = Company Commander (Captain/First Sergeant)v.1000 = Battalion Commander (Colonel/Sergeant Major)b.Small Standing Army (Quick Reaction &Shell Leadership).c.Only Muster in War Time.12.Biblically Dealing with Tyrannya.Tyranny is never a divinely appointed means of government.b.A tyrant is someone who rules without God.c.Tyranny is not a lawful form of government.d.“Godless civil rulers are no more than bands of robbers.” St. Aug.e.When the rule of law dies as sin prevails throughout the land, tyranny is not far behind.f.Book of Judges–Sin = Tyranny.g.Deuteronomy 28:1–Blessings for Obedience.h.Deuteronomy 28:15–Curses of Disobedience.i.Judges 3–The Lord will test you to see if you Obey Him.j.No such thing as “rebelling against tyranny.” RESTORATIONk.Deuteronomy 4:34–God brings His people out of tyranny.i.God doesn’t use majorities.The majority is usually wrong.ii.Hebrews 11:32–Heroes of Faith that conquered tyrants. l.Options:i.Use of Deception1.Not generally speaking only very specifically.2.Avoiding being an accomplice to sin.3.Do not owe the truth to someone who will abuse it.ii.Avoidance1.This does not mean cowardice.2.Conflict with tyranny also is preventing wickedness from harming property, lives, family when you don’t have the strength or resources to overcome.iii.Assassination& Sabotage1.Assassination to remove tyrants is just, not murder.2.2 Chron. 23:12–Dietrich Bonhoeffer –Plot forHitler.iv.Armed Resistance& Guerilla War.m.Considerations Before BeginningWar –Prayer & Contemplationi.Strengthand Resources.ii.Ability to go full-‐scale on a long-‐term basis to win.iii.Not a temporary action based on emotion.iv.Review the Declaration of Causes and Necessity.v.Reasonable hope of winning, God is on your side. If not wait.vi.Is God directing? Ex.33:14-‐15, 2 Chronicles7:14, Gamaliel.vii.People are tired of tyranny & sin w/ hearts set on Freedom? OR People accustomed tyrannyand don’t know who God is?viii.Micah–Patriots whowant to serve God not “libertine.”13.Warrior Priestsa.Living Sacrifice.b.Intercession through prayer and action.c.Adam was told to tend and guard (“Abad & Shamar”).d.Warrior = Guardianship.e.2 Chronicles 23:8-‐9–Armed Guards & weapons in the tabernacle.f.Prayer Humility, Wisdom, Courage, and Protection. g.James 4:8–Draw nearto God and purge double mindedness.h.James 4:17–Not doing the right thing is sin.i.Proverbs 21:31–“Prepare your horse for battle, but the battle is the Lord’s.”14.Freedom is in Jesus Christ.Where the Spirit of God is, there is Liberty.

AT&T, the biggest telecommunications company in the world, has followed in the footsteps of Verizon and dropped its membership with ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council) over its hosting of hate speech last summer.

My takeaway? Exposing ALEC works! :{

113 corporations worth trillions in market value have now dumped ALEC since we launched ALEC Exposed in 2012.

And exposing ALEC is only possible with your support.

While ALEC has been a tool of the Kochs and big business pay-to-play operations for decades, it has recently veered into alarming far-right territory, denying climate science, embracing racists, and using hatemongers like David Horowitz to whip up alt-right support for rewriting the U.S. Constitution.

CMD blew the whistle on Horowitz's wild anti-Islamic accusations at ALEC's annual meeting in August and joined 78 civil rights and reform groups in a letter of protest calling on ALEC's corporate patrons to stop funding ALEC extremism.

And earlier this month CMD exposed that Rep. Matt Shea, who was reported to the FBI for circulating a manual on how to wage a violent Christian holy war in the United States, is the chair of ALEC in Washington State. ALEC still has not removed Shea from his position.

AT&T's departure is the third major blow to ALEC this year, following Exxon-Mobil's decision to ditch ALEC in July.}:

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