Otero County Commissioner and Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin said yesterday that the rioters who broke into and looted the US Capitol building were “patriots” and called for additional violent riots in the days to come.

This is the latest in a long history of comments where Griffin has incited violence against Democrats. Last May he was widely criticized for saying that “the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat” during an event in Truth or Consequences. In the past he’s accused Democrats of treason, which he referred to as “a hanging offense” and said that the COVID-19 pandemic “might be a lead up to a civil war.”

Representative Yvette Herrell has refused to denounce Griffin’s violent rhetoric and still claims that his endorsement is one of the ones she is “most proud of.” Even after the violent mob broke into the US Capitol, she has continued to spread the same dangerous misinformation that led to violence, even speaking on the House floor about refusing to certify certain votes.

“Yvette Herrell continues to stand by Griffin as he threatens violence and sedition to overthrow the results of a legitimate election,” said DPNM Chair Marg Elliston. “We are seeing the result of years of extremist rhetoric that encourages violence and destruction. Griffin’s support for this mob is dangerous and un-American, and if Representative Herrell will not denounce him, she is complicit in this riot and any further violence.”

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