Report: Washington lawmaker engaged in 'domestic terrorism'

Source: Associated Press

Nicholas K. Geranios, Associated Press
Updated 8:50 pm CST, Thursday, December 19, 2019

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- A Washington state lawmaker took part in "domestic terrorism" against the United States during a 2016 standoff at a wildlife refuge in Oregon and traveled throughout the West meeting with far-right extremist groups, according to an investigative report released Thursday.

The report prepared for the state Legislature said Rep. Matt Shea, a Republican from Spokane Valley in eastern Washington, also found that he trained young people to fight a "holy war," condoned intimidating opponents and promoted militia training by the Patriot Movement for possible armed conflict with law enforcement.

Shea was suspended from the state House Republican Caucus Thursday evening, and advised to resign, House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox tweeted. "He cannot use House Republican staff, he cannot meet with the caucus, his office will be moved," Wilcox said. Shea will also be removed from his House committee assignments.

The incoming House Speaker, Democratic Rep. Laurie Jinkins, said the report had been forwarded to federal prosecutors and the FBI. She said her caucus would continue to work with Republicans to explore options based on the report's findings.

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Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Right-wing-lawmaker-criticizes-report-ahead-of-14918929.php

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In this Feb. 15 photo, state Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, gestures as he gives a speech in front of the liberty state flag at the Capitol in Olympia, during a rally held by people advocating splitting Washington state into two separate states and questioning the legality of Washington's I-1639 gun-control measure. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)