Washington State Rep. Matt Shea, a Republican, allegedly “participated in an act of domestic terrorism against the United States,” according to an investigative report released on Thursday.
According to Rampart Group, its investigators found evidence that Rep. Shea , a leader in the Patriot Movement, “engaged in, planned and promoted three armed conflicts of political violence” in three states.
Rep. Shea’s acts of domestic terrorism
The three armed conflicts of political violence, in which he was involved, happened in 2014, 2015, and 2016, according to the independent investigative firm.
In April 2014, investigators found that Rep. Shea encouraged armed militia or Patriot Movement members to support rancher Cliven Bundy and his family’s resistance to a federal court order in Bunkerville, Nevada. His action resulted in the turnout of around 1500 militia members that stood against the U.S. government. He also created the Coalition of Western States (COWS) as leadership strategy for future Patriot Movement armed resistance against the federal government.
