It really was only a matter of time before the two rallying cries of the far right — election fraud and gun rights — came together in the most dangerous ways. The deadly Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection offered just a taste of the radicalism that the Republican mainstream has nurtured by refusing to condemn extreme acts of violence and the political leaders who encourage it — including former President Donald Trump. All signs suggest this extremism is only going to get worse because GOP leaders fear losing power if they alienate the far right wing. Given the current trajectory, it’s not going to end well.
In New Mexico last week, police arrested Solomon Peña, an unsuccessful candidate for the state House in the Nov. 8 election. He allegedly paid four men in early December to shoot up the homes of four elected officials — including the state House speaker — whom he apparently blames for helping steal the election in which his Democratic opponent won 74% of the vote. The home of state Sen. Linda Lopez also was riddled with more than a dozen bullets two weeks ago.
Video shows Peña approaching the houses of two people who were targeted. Police also have recovered text messages containing the victims’ addresses that he sent to the other gunmen. Police released a photo of one of Peña’s accomplices eating a hamburger while holding a pistol. Arrayed before him on a table are four additional pistols along with ammunition clips. Peña allegedly participated in one of the shootings even though, as a convicted felon, he is barred by law from possessing a gun.
