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Just a week after calling for a second and bloody assault on the US Capitol, Otero County Commissioner and Cowboys For Trump founder Couy Griffin announced that he is returning to Washington, DC and taking firearms with him.
“Whatever it takes to take our country back”
The Paper., Albuquerque’s independent local newspaper, was the first to report on a video posted the day after the insurrection by Griffin who participated in the pro-Trump mob incursion into secure areas of the US Capitol last week. Griffin denies that he participated in any violence.
In a video recorded on the west front of the Capitol, Griffin is seen standing among the mob just outside an archway leading into a secured part of the capitol. That is the same area where a police officer was seen being drug down the stairs and struck with poles and sticks before the mob broke windows and entered the building. It is not clear if Griffin was still present during that encounter.
During his rambling speech inside the mob, a man standing with Griffin interrupts by saying, “we are well armed.” Griffin responds, “and we aren’t going anywhere.” Police later reported that they recovered 5 guns and are investigating two pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails left on the Capitol complex. Pictures from the day showed some protestors carrying sidearms and zip ties often used to detain persons against their will.
“We aren’t going to let our elections be stolen by China,” Griffin says. Watching as more pro-Trump terrorists push forward onto the Capitol’s secure areas, Griffin adds, “whatever it takes to take our country back.”
In another remarkable video posted the next day, Griffin says “we could have a Second Amendment rally on those same steps that we had that rally yesterday. And if we do, it’s going to be a sad day because there’s going to be blood running out of that building. But mark my word, by the end of the day we will plant our flag on the desk of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer… and Donald J. Trump if it comes down to it.”
The Paper. was also the first news outlet to report that Griffin had been banned from Twitter alongside Trump.
Later in the video he returns to the idea of a second rally and suggests it occur on January 20th, Biden’s Inauguration Day.
Griffin Lays Out List of Guns To Take
Griffin has since returned to Otero County where he participated in a meeting of the county commission today. As the meeting concludes, Griffin responds to a question about the upcoming legislative session by announcing that he is headed back to DC in time for the inauguration on January 2oth.
“I’m gonna leave either tonight or tomorrow. I’ve got a .357 Henry Big Boy rifle lever action that I’ve got in the trunk of my car and I’ve got a .357 single action revolver, the Colt Ruger Vaquero that I’ll have underneath the front seat on my right side and I will embrace my Second Amendment. I will keep my right to bear arms. My vehicle is an extension of my home in regards to the constitutional law and I have a right to have those firearms in my car,” Griffin says.
“When January 20th comes … after that, we’re going to know if we’re going to be a nation that looks like communist China or if we’re going to continue going with the freedom in the heart and the courage and the bravery that has always made America great. This is a spiritual war. Let’s pray for a possible great event on Jan. 20. It’s time for patriots to stand up for our Second Amendment.” Griffin said on the Cowboys for Trump Facebook page which is still active. Twitter banned Griffin after the riots.
In the meeting video below, Griffin is seen in the far right partly off-screen.
If your browser does not support the embedded video clip, you can view the original on YouTube here.
Griffin acknowledges that an FBI agent in Las Cruces has spoken to him after receiving many calls from persons who saw his first videos. He says he has also reported threats to his life to the FBI.
Griffin also says that he is traveling to DC to prevent “liberals” from taking away guns from him and others. Speaking of January 20th, Griffin says he believes it will be “a great day” but gives no additional details on his thinking.
Washington, DC, has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country and firearms are prohibited at national security events such as the inauguration.
The FBI has already warned local law enforcement of threats of armed protests connected to the January 20th inauguration date.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday declared a statewide State of Emergency citing credible intelligence that additional riots or armed attacks may take place at the inauguration and state houses around the country.
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Governor Declares State of Emergency | The Paper, Jan. 14, 2021