Rep. Matt Shea rails against domestic terrorism allegations at gun rally
Jan 17, 2020, 4:15 PM
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
On Friday at a guns rights rally on the steps of the Capitol, Washington Rep. Matt Shea spoke against the allegations of domestic terrorism and said the government should instead investigate America’s so-called real enemies, according to The Seattle Times. Hundreds of his supporters cheered on.
A recent report commissioned by the House alleges Shea participated in acts of domestic terrorism, a claim he’s denied. He’s since been expelled from the Republican caucus, leaving his ability to participate in day-to-day duties in doubt.
WA Rep. Shea refuses to resign amidst allegations of domestic terrorism
“We should never back down, we should never quit,” he said. “Antifa hasn’t been investigated … The real enemies of this country aren’t being investigated, the real enemies of this country aren’t being looked into, the real enemies of this country aren’t being reported on by the media,” he told the crowd, reports The Seattle Times.
The report alleges that Matt Shea, as a leader in the Patriot Movement, “planned, engaged in, and promoted a total of three armed conflicts of political violence against the United States Government in three states outside of Washington over a three-year period.”
In wake of domestic terrorism allegations, future for Rep. Shea remains unclear
Amidst calls for his resignation, Shea has been resolute in his plan to remain in office. House Democrats are deciding whether to hold hearings to expel him from the Legislature. If he’s not expelled, Shea would be up for reelection before the end of his term in January 2021.