Current Events > Investigation finds WA state rep Matt Shea engaged in Domestic Terrorism

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https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/dec/19/rep-matt-shea-engaged-in-domestic-terrorism-during/

State Rep. Matt Sheas role in the armed takeover of an Oregon wildlife refuge in 2016 amounted to an act of domestic terrorism against the United States, an independent investigation commissioned by the House of Representatives has found.

The findings of the four-month investigation by the Rampart Group prompted House Republican leaders to expel Shea from their caucus and strip him of his committee assignments, including his ranking position on the Environment and Energy Committee.

On Twitter, Republican Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox said Shea should resign.

Representative Shea was given an opportunity to communicate with investigators and chose not to, Wilcox said in a statement. Allegations this serious, many supported by his own communications and associates, justify this immediate action.

Wilcox said the House clerks office had forwarded the investigation findings to the FBI and the U.S. attorneys office. The Rampart Group is a Seattle-based firm headed by former FBI agent Kathy Leodler.

The findings are detailed in a 108-page report that was delivered to rank-and-file members of the House on Thursday. It largely corroborates previous news reports about Sheas interactions with far-right activists, his preoccupation with military-style prepping and reconnaissance, and his vision of Christian-dominated government.

The report also details Sheas participation in the 2014 standoff between right-wing militants and law enforcement officials on federal land in Nevada, as well as a third, previously unreported standoff with federal agents in Priest River, Idaho, in 2015.

Investigators found that Shea, who has represented Spokane Valley since 2008, did not travel to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016 on fact-finding missions, as he later told the Legislative Ethics Board, but to participate in the planning and preparation of the armed occupation with militia members including Nevada rancher Ammon Bundy.

The report concludes that Shea engaged in intimidation tactics in September 2012, when he faced an election challenge from Democrat Amy Biviano, and has condoned violence and intimidation of political opponents, including intimidation of activists, government officials, Muslims and others who speak or act in opposition to his personal beliefs and his political agenda.

Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, said he was very disturbed by the details of this report and agreed with Wilcox that Shea should resign.

House Majority Leader Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said in a statement: In its 130-year history, I am unaware of House members ever having received such a comprehensive and disturbing investigatory report about another member. It is important we review the full report prior to determining what action the House may take, and (we) are still needing time to read and digest the findings.

Jinkins added that lawmakers respect Sheas personal beliefs and right to free speech, but those ideals are not what this is about. This is about a state lawmaker who, according to the investigative findings, engaged in an act of domestic terrorism rather than choosing political or legal avenues to change laws and policies he disagrees with.

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"Republican"
Not surprising.
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Phantom_Nook posted...

"Republican"
Not surprising.

Yup. But yeah, they should lock his ass up. It's only a matter of time until this guy literally tries to have his political opponents assassinated if he hasn't already done so.

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Dude isn't backing down either. He might go out in a shootout, he sounds so unhinged.

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Spokane?

Not surprised. Eastern Washington is all red and north Idaho, which Spokane is next to, isnt the most accepting of places.

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Phantom_Nook posted...

"Republican"
Not surprising.

Holy shit they actually punished someone involved in that

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armed takeover of an Oregon wildlife refuge in 2016

2014 standoff between right-wing militants and law enforcement officials on federal land in Nevada

Holy shit was this guy involved in both Bundy standoffs.

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I still say a drone strike was needed

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Wow

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bump

Need more eyes on this. Want to see how the usuals deflect was well.

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Errrrr most of them can't see this >_>
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Bio1590 posted...

Errrrr most of them can't see this >_>

Still should get more eyes on this >_>

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Ok so the Republicans DO know how to kick out members of their own party that break the law.

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He's a domestic terrorist who wants to forcibly install a Christian theocracy. It's a Republican's dream
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