Investigation finds Washington state representative took part in 'domestic terrorism'

[Rogue Valley]

Investigation finds Washington state representative took part in 'domestic terrorism'

A number of responses are possible, including expulsion or censure. Members will continue to discuss these and other options over the coming weeks.

Washington State GOP Rep. Matt Shea

12/20/19
A Republican state lawmaker in Washington is accused of participating "in an act of domestic terrorism against the United States," according to a new report released Thursday by the Washington State House Republicans on their website. According to the report, state Rep. Matt Shea -- who has represented the state's 4th legislative district since 2009 -- is the subject of an investigation that was commissioned by the Washington State House Representatives to find out whether he "engaged in, planned, or promoted political violence." Rampart Group investigators, who authored the report, say the investigation was sparked by "public allegations made against [Shea] in news media and online reporting" and that Shea declined a request to be interviewed for the report. The report alleges that "nvestigators have obtained evidence that Representative Shea, as a leader of the Patriot Movement, planned, engaged in, and promoted a total of three armed conflicts of political violence against the United States Government in three states outside the State of Washington over a three-year period to include 2014, 2015 and 2016."

The investigation also referenced a document released in 2018 that Shea admitted he wrote, titled "Biblical Basis for War." The document is formatted with bullet points, and under one heading, it lists "Rules of War," calling for a stop to abortions, same-sex marriage and communism. "If they do not yield -- kill all males," it reads. Late Thursday, there was a Facebook post that appeared to be from Shea, saying in part, "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." The report also said the lawmaker participated in an act of domestic terrorism before and during an armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016. Shea remains a state legislator for now.

A GOP domestic terrorist still retains his state government seat. Censure? He needs to be expelled and indicted. A person died during one of his acts of armed terrorism against the US.

 

[Divine_Wind]

Investigation finds Washington state representative took part in 'domestic terrorism'

A number of responses are possible, including expulsion or censure. Members will continue to discuss these and other options over the coming weeks.

Washington State GOP Rep. Matt Shea



A GOP domestic terrorist still retains his state government seat. Censure? He needs to be expelled and indicted. A person died during one of his acts of armed terrorism against the US.

Let's see if the state of Washington charges, arrests and convicts him first. Since he's a state Rep, it's up to them to decide his fate as a Rep.

 

[Chomsky]

Damn, this is a difficult case. I hate to deffer to "appeal to authority", but that's all I can think of doing - let the DOJ, state legislature, and courts handle this. These are very serious charges.

 

[Chomsky]

Well, it looks like this guy possibly could be involved in armed conflict against the U.S. Government. If not actively involved, he at least seems to be everywhere there's armed conflict!

Three armed conflicts

The Army veteran was a public supporter of Cliven Bundy, a Nevada rancher who led a 2014 standoff with FBI agents in a dispute over grazing rights.

According to investigators, Shea visited the Bundy Ranch in Bunkerville for a couple of days. While there, he "developed a strategy for leadership over future Patriot Movement armed resistance against the federal government by creating" a coalition of western state leaders from Idaho, Washington, Arizona and Nevada.

The Patriot Movement is a far-right, anti-government extremist group, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. A core tenet is that the government should not own public lands.

About two months after the Bundy Ranch standoff, the report notes a meeting between Shea and leaders of the Oath Keepers Militia at a restaurant in Spokane. There he was overheard discussing "militias, weapons, stockpiling ammunition, the Bundy Ranch, Special Forces and snipers."

Previously unknown is Shea's involvement in the 2015 armed conflict with the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department in Priest River, Idaho.

When VA officials planned to remove weapons from the home of a veteran who was flagged by health care officials, Shea issued a call to action for Patriot Movement members. In a Facebook post, he urged them to arm themselves and drive to Priest River.

"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," the report said.

In early 2016, Shea again teamed up with the Bundy family in an armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.

The 41-day standoff between armed militia men and government officials resulted "in devastating financial, physical and emotional harm to a community and its residents; and the loss of one life."

At the time, Shea said he had gone on a "fact-finding mission."

Source: (NPR) Washington Legislator Matt Shea Accused Of 'Domestic Terrorism,' Report Finds

 

[Mach]

"Biblical Basis for War."

Crazy is crazy.

 

[Condor060]

Investigation finds Washington state representative took part in 'domestic terrorism'

A number of responses are possible, including expulsion or censure. Members will continue to discuss these and other options over the coming weeks.

Washington State GOP Rep. Matt Shea

A GOP domestic terrorist still retains his state government seat. Censure? He needs to be expelled and indicted. A person died during one of his acts of armed terrorism against the US.

The report alleges that "nvestigators have obtained evidence that Representative Shea, as a leader of the Patriot Movement, planned, engaged in, and promoted a total of three armed conflicts of political violence against the United States Government in three states outside the State of Washington.

But they don't say what he did or what conflicts he was engaged in? Why would you leave out the most important part of the story? The media makes him look like an armed terrorist but decided not to report the events? Seems to me if this was a serious as stipulated by the media the FBI would have seized this guy right away.

Sounds more like an over zealous media with another fake story

 

[Old 'N Chill]

Was just reading about this on Time. Report: WA Rep. Matt Shea Engaged in "Domestic Terrorism" | Time