A judge said Couy Griffin's stated remorse for January 6 conflicted with incendiary public comments. Griffins attorneys said in a court filing that Pence had already departed the restricted area before the earliest that Griffin could have entered it, but Secret Service inspector Lanelle Hawa testified that Pence never left the restricted area during the riot. Griffin was present at the Capitol during the riot but did not enter the building itself. The outcome of Griffins trial also could have a ripple effect, helping others to decide whether to let a judge or a jury decide their case. On Jan. 6, Mr. Griffin and a videographer clambered over barricades at the Capitol and made their way onto the inauguration stage in front of the building. Hemel added: I wouldnt want Couy Griffin to be my county commissioner, or anyones county commissioner, but I think defenders of democracy need to think long and hard about whether judicial disqualification is the wisest approach.. He also said that, if appealed, it could give the Supreme Court an opportunity to weigh in on this question without directly deciding on a case involving Trump. Truth is I was 1 for 1 with the US Government. Last year, Griffin insisted that "the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat" and called on Trump to "hang" his opponents for their "Treasonous Acts." By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider "I mean, who's to say that was have you seen anything of any of her family?" The confidential agreement was offered to Griffin during discussions at a Monday court hearing in Washington, D.C., according to the Associated Press. The disqualification of Berger, for instance, was later widely regarded as overreach. Matt Dahlseid/Santa Fe New Mexican, via Associated Press. WASHINGTON A judge in New Mexico on Tuesday ordered a county commissioner convicted of participating in the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol removed from office under the 14th Amendment, making him the first public official in more than a century to be barred from serving under a constitutional ban on insurrectionists holding office. Defense lawyers plan to grill the Secret Service about ex-Vice President Mike Pence's whereabouts. When McFadden posed a boilerplate question about whether Griffin had taken drugs or alcohol the accused Capitol rioter said he'd had a couple beers the night before. ", Trump cowboy Couy Griffin found not guilty of campaign finance charge Gift Article. Griffin already served 20 days in jail upon his arrest last year, so he was released Friday. Trump cowboy found not guilty of campaign finance charge Another state lawmaker, then-West Virginia state Del. "I'm serious," he continued, "That's, that's how and I hate to be so crazy conspiracy-minded. Griffin said in a text message that he felt blessed to be judged by a jury of peers in his home community and has never felt as vindicated.". 'Cowboys for Trump' Leader Arrested After Pledging to Bring - Insider While Griffin says he did not knowingly trespass, news outlet KVIA showed images this week of Griffin scaling a metal barricade to get to the inauguration platform. as well as other partner offers and accept our. The evidence will show that the government selected Griffin for prosecution based on the fact that he gave a speech and led a prayer at the Capitol, that is, selected him based on protected expression, they wrote. Around that time, Mr. Griffin also took part in an attempt by the Otero County commission to reject certification of a recent local election until voting machines in the county were inspected. News Capitol Riots Donald Trump Republicans. But he found that Griffins actions met the standard set forth by the 14th Amendment, citing Griffins violent rhetoric and evidence of his actions at the Capitol. Reconstruction-era federal prosecutors brought civil actions in court to oust officials linked to the Confederacy, and Congress in some cases refused to seat members, according to the Congressional Research Service. The Justice Department said in charging papers that, following the January 6 insurrection, Griffin recorded a video in which he claimed to have "climbed up on the top of the Capitol building" and stated his intention to return on January 20 the day then-President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. In 2019, Griffin forged a group of rodeo acquaintances into the promotional group called Cowboys for Trump, which staged horseback parades to spread President Donald Trumps conservative message about gun rights, immigration controls and abortion restrictions. He shouldn't be punished for showing his pride in his country, Miller said. the judge asked. 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"There's nothing illegal about that You feel clearheaded now?" According to a court document, Griffin tweeted after the trial that the media has tried to make me look like the biggest loser the last couple days. Griffin, one of three members of the Otero County Commission in southern New Mexico, is among a handful of riot defendants who either held public office or ran for a government leadership post in the 2 1/2 years before the attack. He denies that he did anything that was illegal. Theyve got to resolve the question of Trumps eligibility as soon as possible. Smith asked Struck if anybody appeared to be riled up by the prayer that Griffin led. And a judge acquitted him of disorderly conduct. 'Cowboys for Trump' founder Couy Griffin sentenced in Jan. 6 case Griffin invoked free speech protections in declining to register and disclose donors to Cowboys for Trump, while expressing concern that financial contributors might be harassed. Trump cowboy found not guilty of campaign finance charge By Aila Slisco On 8/9/21 at 9:46 PM EDT. Cowboys for Trump Founder Offered Plea Deal in Capitol Riot Case Effort to bar Jan. 6 figures from office notches historic win. The judge heard testimony Monday from three government witnesses. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Trumps attack on democracy after the November 2020 election started out as an attempt to use the judicial process to deprive voters of their choice of leader. Couy Griffin banned from holding public office over role in Jan. 6 riots. At his sentencing, Griffin told the judge, I have huge respect for law enforcement and I am a respecter of the system. He said he had been a pastor before entering politics in Otero County. Mr. Mr. Griffins attempts to challenge Mr. Trumps defeat in the 2020 election including issuing calls for violence on behalf of the former president preceded the events of Jan. 6, according to the ruling by the judge in New Mexico. Judge Trevor McFadden served as a top Justice Department official in the Trump administration before the Senate confirmed him in 2017 to the federal trial court in Washington, DC. Griffin is thinking about running for Catron County sheriff. Couy Griffin, a 48-year-old Republican elected official from Alamogordo, N.M., and founder of a pro-Donald Trump grass-roots group, had challenged U.S. prosecutors to prove Pence's whereabouts. But McFadden noted that Griffin had not entered the Capitol building itself but only trespassed on the grounds outside the building, putting him at what the judge called the "minimal end of criminality.". 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Behind US recruitment woes, Joes risky alternative strategy and other commentary, Pence testifies for 7 hours before Jan. 6 grand jury after Trumps bid to block him fails, Former Rep. Liz Cheney to publish book warning of Trump threat, Capitol rioter who crushed officer with shield gets 7 years, a political committee called Cowboys for Trump. On Monday, federal prosecutors displayed video footage in McFadden's courtroom showing Griffin climbing a makeshift ramp as he approached the Capitol. US Capitol riot: Army reservist with secret-level security clearance I dont think justice was served, Griffin said of his case in a radio interview earlier this month. Whether this will ultimately stand up if appealed remains a major question and one that could have far-ranging implications. Ahead of the trial, McFadden rejected Griffin's claim that he was politically targeted. Judge removes Otero County's Couy Griffin for Jan. 6 role : NPR He said he was leading the group in prayer. He also took part in a multicity bus tour arranged by the pro-Trump group Women for America First designed to recruit protesters to go to Washington for Mr. Trumps speech on Jan. 6, in which the president called on his supporters to fight like hell against his election loss and urged them to march to the Capitol while Congress was meeting to confirm it. The dismissed charge against Griffin carried a potential punishment of up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.