(Rightallegiance.com) – On a recent Monday, the United States Supreme Court decided against hearing an appeal from Couy Griffin, a former Otero County commissioner from New Mexico. Griffin’s political career was notably interrupted due to his involvement in the tumultuous events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol. This decision underscores Griffin’s unique position as the sole elected official to face removal from office in the aftermath of the Capitol riot, an event that temporarily halted Congress’s certification of Joe Biden’s electoral win over Donald Trump in the 2020 Presidential Election.
Couy Griffin, a figure who gained national attention as a cowboy pastor, rose to prominence by organizing horseback caravans in support of then-President Donald Trump. His political journey hit a significant roadblock following his participation in the January 6 insurrection, leading to a landmark 2022 trial.
In this trial, held in a state district court, Griffin was subject to a disqualification from holding public office based on a clause from the 14th Amendment—an amendment originally crafted to prevent former Confederates from assuming government positions post-Civil War. This ruling marked the first application of this disqualification provision in over a century.
Interestingly, the Supreme Court had recently affirmed that while states lack the authority to remove federal candidates from ballots, distinct criteria apply to state and local candidates. This clarification came in an unsigned opinion stating, “States may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office.” This distinction sets a precedent that could influence future actions against state and local officials involved in similar incidents.
Griffin’s legal battles include a conviction in federal court for entering a restricted area of the Capitol grounds during the January 6 events. Despite receiving a 14-day prison sentence—offset by time already served—Griffin maintains that he did not realize the area was restricted and claims he merely aimed to lead a crowd in prayer. His conviction remains under appeal.
This case emerges in a broader context where several states attempted to block Donald Trump’s candidacy in future elections, alleging his role in inciting the Capitol riot to prevent Biden from assuming the presidency. These efforts were largely halted by the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Trump case.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a left-leaning organization, played a pivotal role in filing the insurrection accusations against Griffin on behalf of three New Mexico residents. CREW has also been instrumental in pushing for investigations into several state legislators who were present in Washington, D.C., on January 6.
During Griffin’s state trial, Judge Francis Mathew recognized the Capitol siege as an insurrection, noting Griffin’s non-violent support of the upheaval. Griffin’s appeal argued that only Congress has the authority to enforce the 14th Amendment’s anti-insurrection clause, challenging the state court’s jurisdiction and invoking free speech rights. However, Judge Mathew dismissed Griffin’s free speech defense as self-serving, highlighting his spread of election fraud claims and his role in rallying support for the January 6 events.
Following his disqualification, Griffin continued to portray himself as a political martyr, speaking at a Republican event in Wyoming on the third anniversary of the Capitol attack. He reminisced about January 6 as a day of unprecedented patriotism, reflecting his ongoing defiance.
Griffin’s political activism dates back to 2019 when he founded Cowboys for Trump, a group advocating for conservative causes through horseback parades. Despite legal challenges and controversies, including a failed recall effort and acquittal in a case regarding his group’s financial disclosures, Griffin’s political narrative remains intertwined with the turbulent events of January 6 and the legal and constitutional debates that followed.