Cowboys for Trump founder arrested after riot on Capitol Hill

The founder of the Cowboys for Trump group and a New Mexico county commissioner was arrested Sunday for his alleged role in the Capitol Riot earlier this month.

Couy Griffin confirmed in an interview with FBI agents that he was present at the riot, according to a federal affidavit. Griffin said in a video posted to the Cowboys for Trump Facebook page that he “climbed to the top of the Capitol building and … had a front row seat,” the affidavit states.

In the same now-deleted video he reportedly said, “You mean it was a crowd? You mean it was violence? No sir. No Madam. No, we could have a 2nd Amendment rally on these same steps that we had this rally yesterday. You know, and if we do, then it’s going to be a sad day because there’s going to be blood spilled from this building. But at the end of the day you keep my word, we will plant our flag on the desk of Nancy PelosiNancy Pelosi Missouri woman seen with Pelosi sign charged in Capitol riots Boebert’s communications director resigns amid Capitol riot and Chuck schumerChuck SchumerBiden and New Congress must protect Americans from ‘Almost Heaven, West Virginia’ utility cuts – Joe Manchin and 50-50 Democratic Senators seek to speed up Senate impeachment trial MORE and Donald J. Trump if it comes down to it.

Prosecutors said Griffin told FBI agents on Jan. 11 that he visited the nation’s capital with Matt Struck, who “runs the media” for the Cowboys for Trump organization. Griffin said he expected the protest at the United States Capitol to be peaceful and that he was “caught up” as a crowd entered the Capitol building.

Griffin reportedly said neither he nor Struck actually entered the Capitol building, remaining on the steps of the building. He added that he had left the US Capitol grounds “peacefully” and that “the police had never asked him to leave the area”.

A federal official said Griffin’s placement, as documented in several videos shared to Facebook, was “well within the restricted area” of the Capitol building, according to the affidavit.

The founder of Cowboys for Trump was accused on Sunday of knowingly entering or remaining in a building or restricted land without legal permission. He was arrested in Washington, DC

Griffin also told federal officials he plans to travel to Washington, DC again for a rally on January 20, 2021. He told FBI special agents that “he is hopeful that a change in leadership can be accomplished. “without a single shot being fired” but noted that there was “no option that was not on the table for freedom,” “the affidavit read.

Griffin also opened up about his actions during the riot at an Otero County Council meeting in New Mexico on Jan. 14, according to the FBI. He said he was leading a prayer group “outside the Capitol, but where the president is inaugurated.”

At the council meeting, Griffin said he intended to bring weapons to Washington DC on January 20 to protest the president-elect Joe bidenJoe Biden, Missouri Woman Seen With Pelosi Sign Charged In Capitol Riots Facebook Temporarily Bans Ads For Weapon Accessories In The Following Capitol Riotsthe unveiling of, including a rifle and a revolver.

The man from New Mexico has already made headlines after President TrumpDonald TrumpFacebook Temporarily Bans Ads For Weapon Accessories Following Capitol Sasse Riots, In Fiery Editorial Says QAnon Destroys Section 230 Of The GOP That Worked After The Insurgency But Not Before: How To Regulate social media LEARN MORE shared a video in May 2020 featuring Griffin at a rally saying he had “come to a place where I have come to the conclusion that the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat.”

“I say the reason why the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat – I say it politically and I say it because we have to have majorities in the House and the Senate,” he later added. “This is the only way we’re going to put the breaks on an out of control governor.