Cowboys for Trump founder returns to Otero County Commission after arrest following Capitol riot

After being jailed in connection with the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Otero County Commission Vice Chairman Couy Griffin was back in attendance at the Feb. 11 Otero County Commission meeting.

Griffin spoke for nearly 20 minutes during the meeting in defense of myriad controversies since he took office in 2018, including his arrest on Jan. 17.

"I appreciate the opportunity to be able to speak as many of y'all know, the public platform that I've been able to speak on at least to be able to defend myself against personal accusations has been taken away," Griffin said. 

Griffin, who founded the Cowboys for Trump political advocacy group in support of former President Donald Trump and his policies, addressed the public for the first time since his social media platforms were either removed or went silent since the arrest.

More:Couy Griffin released from pretrial detention after being held on Capitol riot charges

Griffin said he wanted to make clear that he was accused of crimes but was not convicted.

"It's one thing to be charged, it's another thing to be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," Griffin said. "In regards to my position here in Otero County, it is a position that has been a great honor to date and I believe will continue to be a great honor moving into the future.

"That is to prayerfully hold the line on a constitutional side, to fight for individual rights, individual liberties and individual freedoms which I believe that by God's grace I have been able to do today."

Griffin said that he took his oath of office on the Holy Bible he preached from when he served as a pastor at New Heart Cowboy Church, and that his time as a pastor before being elected District 2 Otero County Commissioner in 2018 informed his philosophy in public office. 

"That's the platform that I stand on and I stand before God and I live in fear of God that my oath is my bond and my bond is to the people of Otero County," Griffin said.

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Arrested in connection with Capitol riots

Although Griffin did not enter the Capitol building on Jan. 6, he was outside on the west side capitol steps area where he ended up with a bullhorn and said he attempted to lead the crowd in prayer.

At a Jan. 14 Otero County Commission meeting, Griffin said that he was going to return to Washington, D.C. for the Biden-Harris Inauguration Ceremony and that he would have two firearms with him.

He was arrested on Jan. 17 in Washington, D.C.

Griffin said he took the weapons with him for his own protection following threats he had received.

He claimed the threats were not investigated.

These alleged threats included death threats and threats to burn down his home in Tularosa while he was at a rally in Clovis, New Mexico, Griffin said.

"That was why I was vocal in why I was going to embrace my Second Amendment whenever I travel to Washington, D.C. was only for my own personal protection because I don't feel that I can count on FBI or any other enforcement agency to protect my safety and well-being," Griffin said. 

Trump impeachment trial evidence

During the ongoing impeachment proceedings Thursday against former-President Donald Trump, House Impeachment Manager Rep. Diana DeGette used footage of Griffin as part of her evidence against Trump as an example of the former President inciting insurrection. 

DeGette cited a video of Griffin at a rally in Truth or Consequences when Griffin made the infamous statement that "the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat."

Griffin clarified a moment after he said it that he only meant death in the political sense and not the physical sense.

More:Cowboys for Trump founder, Couy Griffin: 'The only good Democrat is a dead Democrat'

"I just want those that have already come to the conclusion that I'm guilty, I just again ask you to put the brakes on a little bit and let the legal process take place," Griffin said.

Griffin was released from federal prison on Feb. 5.

Calls mount for Griffin's removal

During his incarceration, Griffin's fellow Otero County Commissioners, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas and a committee set up to recall Griffin asked him to resign his position as Otero County Commissioner.

More:New Mexico Attorney General urges Griffin to resign

Balderas said in a Jan. 16 letter that if Griffin does not resign, then Balderas would seek Griffin's removal through legal means.

"My office also has information that you have failed to discharge your basic duties as Otero County Commissioner, having, for instance, devoted so much time to your private commercial endeavors that you have failed to attend to constituent concerns, forcing other commissioners to assist constituents in your assigned district with their issues," the Jan. 16 letter states. 

"These acts alone represent conduct unbefitting of an elected official."

Balderas referenced Griffin's actions as part of his Cowboy's for Trump organization and its attendance at rallies and rides across the country.

Paul Sanchez, chairman of the Committee To Recall Couy Griffin said Griffin's comments at the meeting lacked accountability for the commissioners actions. 

He called on Balderas to remove Griffin from his post. 

"The Committee to Recall Couy Griffin is once again disappointed that Commissioner Griffin showed he is completely unrepentant in the events of the past year, no less on Jan. 6," Sanchez said in a statement.

"Once again, we call on the New Mexico Attorney General to take the action within his authority to remove Griffin from his office immediately. The citizens of Otero County are exhausted and simply want this to end

Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter.