Cowboys for Trump founder having busy June, but dodges more jail time

by Will Tubbs

Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News

 

Couy Griffin is hardly a household name, even among the most loyal corners of the pro-Donald Trump camp; but, this week, the man who founded Cowboys for Trump has repeatedly found his way into the national headlines.

Early in the week, as first reported by the Associated Press, Griffin joined with his two fellow members of the Otero County commission in refusing to certify the results of New Mexico’s recent election (the commission has since reversed course). Then, on Friday, Griffin was sentenced for having entered the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, though not the Capitol Building, on Jan. 6, 2021.

For his actions, Griffin received a sentence of 14 days in prison and a $3,000 fine. However, as he’s already served 20 days and received credit for time served, he will not be required to report to jail.

During the sentencing hearing, which was reported on in more detail by Reuters, Griffin told U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden that he was not aware that entering the Capitol grounds was illegal, at one point saying he “could be struck dead right now” if he was lying, and that he acted in what he felt was God’s will.

“My actions on Jan. 6 were the result of my faith,” he said. “I received that message to go pray with people.”

Griffin had been previously convicted of entering and remaining on restricted grounds, a misdemeanor, but had been acquitted of a charge of disorderly conduct.

His day in court was hardly harmonious as Griffin seemed to irk McFadden on numerous occasions.

“Sometimes, sir, you are probably your own worst enemy,” McFadden said.

McFadden also called Griffin a “national embarrassment” and said Griffin’s claim of ignorance was “preposterous.”

It was a big week of litigation for Griffin. A state court in New Mexico ordered Griffin and his fellow commissioners to certify the recent election, something they were, by law, supposed to have completed by Friday.

Griffin told reporters gathered at his federal hearing that he would not adhere to the state court’s order. While Griffin proved true to his word, as reported by CNN, he was outvoted later in the day and the Otero County vote was officially certified.

“I am relieved that the Otero County Commission finally did the right thing and followed their duty under New Mexico law to certify the free and fair results of the 2022 Primary Election,” New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said in a statement. “The voters of Otero County and the candidates who duly won their primaries can now rest assured that their voices have been heard and the General Election can proceed as planned. We note that the Commission admitted that they did not have any facts to support not certifying the election results. It’s unfortunate that we had to take action to make sure Otero County voters were not disenfranchised. We have great confidence in the Otero County Clerk and her staff who oversaw this election and properly canvassed these results and it is a shame that the Commission pushed our state to the brink of a crisis by their actions.”

Griffin and his fellow commissioners had initially cited concerns over the county’s voting machines. Commission Chairwoman Vickie Marquardt said that she had been concerned about three votes apparently cast by people whose address corresponded with a home at which all the occupants had died.

On Friday, Marquardt indicated her concerns had been assuaged and changed her vote. She also cited pressure from the state, including threats of criminal charges, as reasons for the change in position.

Marquardt accused numerous state officials of “railroading this commission into rubber-stamping approval under the threat of criminal charges and jail … I will be of no use to the residents of Otero County from jail or if I’m removed from office.”

At a different point, Marquadt said “We honestly don’t have a choice.”

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