The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a former New Mexico county commissioner, Couy Griffin, who was removed from office due to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Griffin, known for his cowboy pastor persona and support for former President Donald Trump, is the only elected official thus far to be banned from office in connection with the Capitol attack.
Griffin was convicted in federal court of entering a restricted area on the Capitol grounds on January 6 and received a 14-day prison sentence, which was offset by time served. He claims he entered the grounds without realizing it was restricted and attempted to lead a prayer with a bullhorn, denying any violent actions.
In a recent trial, Griffin was disqualified from office under a provision of the 14th Amendment, marking the first disqualification in over a century under this provision. The Supreme Court ruled that states have the authority to disqualify individuals from holding state office, setting a precedent that could impact other state and local officials involved in the Capitol attack.
Griffin's defense argued that only Congress, not a state court, has the power to enforce the anti-insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment and questioned whether the events of January 6 constituted an insurrection as defined in the Constitution. However, the court dismissed these arguments, emphasizing Griffin's role in inciting the mob during the attack.
Despite facing legal challenges and disqualification from office, Griffin continues to portray himself as a victim of political persecution, expressing pride in his actions on January 6. His involvement in organizing horseback caravans and promoting conservative messages in support of Trump has drawn both support and controversy.
Griffin's case highlights the ongoing efforts to hold accountable those involved in the Capitol insurrection, with implications for similar cases across the country. The legal battles and public scrutiny surrounding Griffin's actions underscore the complex intersection of free speech, political activism, and legal consequences in the aftermath of the events of January 6.
