Politics

EXCLUSIVE: Couy Griffin spent time in jail ‘praying and fasting’ after arrest

20 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Couy Griffin, of Tularosa, New Mexico—who achieved national fame for riding his horse, “Red,” across the United States in 2019 to meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C.—was driving past his mother’s home in Tularosa, on Saturday,  May 21, when he was pulled over by an Officer Villa and handcuffed, arrested, then booked into Otero County Detention Center.

He was charged with three counts of criminal trespassing and two counts of harassment, according to Griffin.

Griffin was released from the Center on Monday and interviewed by the Piñon Post today, Tuesday, May 23. 

“I spent the time in jail praying and fasting. The crazier life gets, the easier it is to let it go,” said Griffin, a former pastor, and a past Otero County Commissioner.  

Griffin indicated that the problematic situation leading to Griffin’s arrest on Saturday, May 21st, began on April 13. 

It was on April 13 that he picked up a man who was a stranger at the El Paso airport. 

“He was a friend of a friend who was homeless in D.C.  He needed help.  I needed the interior of my mother’s house painted, and so I flew him out here, paid for all his food, and took him to my family’s home for Easter dinner.  I let him stay in the house until the painting was finished,” said Griffin.

The location on Dusty Lane is the spot at the end of the driveway where Griffin was filmed being arrested and also the address of the house in which the homeless man and “painter” DeWayne Braithwaite is currently holed up under the protection of the local Sheriff’s office.  

Griffin originally purchased the home on Dusty Lane. However, Griffin had quick-deeded his properties to his mother, a magistrate judge, due to his controversial and highly publicized pro-Trump position and threats he says he has received since he met with Trump. 

Griffin testified that after Braithwaite’s painting job was completed, and he asked him to leave the home, Braithwaite charged him with “harassment.” Braithwaite included the local authorities in his complaints, calling the Sheriff’s department over seven times complaining about Griffin.

Griffin has recently been informed that Braithwaite is a former felon and had just been removed from his sister’s house in Maryland after a three-year eviction battle.

“All my problems began after that meeting with Trump in 2019. The fierce attacks began after that day,” said Griffin, who spent nine weeks in federal prison on charges related to January 6. 

After the meeting with Trump, and related to his attendance at J6, Griffin was arrested by the FBI and placed in solitary confinement for nine days in federal prison—without being charged.  He was not allowed to call family or an attorney before or during this initial imprisonment.  Eventually, he was accused of the non-violent offense of “trespassing.”

Griffin was removed from his position as a commissioner after District Judge Francis Matthew indicated that because of Griffin’s supposed J6 “insurrectionist” behavior, he had violated Section Three of the Fourth Amendment. Defendants for Griffin stated that the clause was used in the civil war, not since 1860, and primarily to prevent Confederates from running for office.

In another interview, Griffin stated to CAT CHAT Rumble host Mahara Daniel that there were no designated areas near or on the Capital grounds or building that were clearly marked with no admittance or no trespassing signs.

Additionally, the crowds—who were mainly conservatives and/or Trump supporters who were both praying and celebrating but also protesting election results—were welcomed into the Capital, by capital security, according to Griffin.

“It was a trap. We didn’t know it, of course.  You don’t let the prey know they are stepping into a trap until it’s too late,” he said, about the January 6th protest, a historical event more often referred to as an act of “insurrection.”

“I feel set up by the system. In this case, I was simply trying to help someone who was destitute, “said Griffin.

The Otero County Sheriff’s Department could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, May 23. 

Video shows Couy Griffin being arrested after argument with ‘squatter’

WATCH: YouTuber takes down MLG’s anti-gun ignorance in less than five minutes

10 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Prominent YouTube influencer and attorney Colion Noir, whose channel is about the Second Amendment, skewered New Mexico Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham after she made uninformed and false comments while recently appearing on MSNBC. 

In particular, she called AR-15 rifles “weapons of war,” even though the military doesn’t use them, and falsely claimed the weapons were “automatic,” which they are not. 

Noir took down Lujan Grisham in under five minutes in his YouTube segment that is now going viral. 

He ripped her to shreds over what the Second Amendment says, her anti-gun legislation proposed, and the failed anti-gun policies already enacted that are not doing much of anything. 

Watch Colion Noir’s epic takedown here:

Lujan Grisham vows to crush Second Amendment, ‘go after’ gun manufacturers

Lujan Grisham makes ghastly assertion about New Mexico’s energy identity

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While speaking at POLITICO’s energy summit Thursday, Democrat New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham angered eco-leftists over her justification for vetoing electric vehicle tax credits in the omnibus package previously passed during the 2023 Legislative Session.

“These were important but way too small,” Lujan Grisham said of the tax credits. “These benefits were so small, they don’t move the needle. Sometimes when you get something, you don’t get a second bite at it.”

Eco-leftists charged the governor with “blowing smoke” with her “bull***t response.” 

However, other comments Lujan Grisham made at the summit have New Mexicans concerned.

The governor told the moderator during the event, “We have free college,” adding, “I’m producing workers in the renewable energy sector.”

She then said, “New Mexico was framed, and in fact, I might…I do disagree with that frame as an energy state and a leader in energy” (emphasis added).

On the contrary, New Mexico was responsible for the largest U.S. oil production growth in 2022 at 50 percent — beating all other states, as we previously reported. Much of the state’s massive $9.4 billion budget derives from the booming oil and gas industry.

A policy and performance analysis for the 2024 fiscal year from the Legislative Finance Committee noted, “Bolstered by high oil- and gas-related revenues, growing incomes, strong consumer spending, and inflation, New Mexico is experiencing record-high revenues across all major revenue streams.” 

The free market think tank, the Rio Grande Foundation, asked regarding Lujan Grisham’s comment, “On what planet is New Mexico NOT a… leader in energy?”

New Mexico, which is the second-highest oil-producing state in the country, certainly is an energy state, and any assertion otherwise is a fabrication of the truth.

WATCH:  

Governor’s feeble excuse reignites eco-left’s fury over EV tax credit veto

UNM tight end Jaden Hullaby found dead at 21 after being reported missing

Leave a Comment / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Monday, it was revealed that University of New Mexico tight end Jaden Hullaby had passed away at just 21 after previously being declared missing. He started his football career at the University of Texas.

“Hullaby’s family said in a statement on social media on Sunday that they had feared for his safety … after they hadn’t been able to make contact with him since last Thursday. He was last seen on a freeway in Dallas, the family said. In an update on Monday — Hullaby’s brother, Landon, announced the UNM athlete had sadly passed away.” TMZ reported.

“I love you so much and I got you and the family forever I swear get your rest King,” wrote Landon.

UNM wrote, “The Lobo family is saddened to learn of the passing of former RB/TE Jaden Hullaby. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jaden’s family and all who knew him.”

“He was a great person and someone we all enjoyed being around, coaching and spending time with,” said University of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “All of our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates, and we want to send our deepest condolences to them in such a difficult time.”

“Hullaby was a touted running back prospect in the Longhorns’ 2020 class who switched to linebacker when he got to the Austin campus. He played in just two games in his two seasons for the school … before he transferred to UNM prior to the 2022 season. In his one year with the Lobos, he played tight end, and piled up 44 receiving yards and 59 rushing yards in eight games,” TMZ added.

“The cause of death has yet to be released by authorities. Hullaby was last seen in Dallas on Friday heading westbound on I-30 at 6:23 pm,” according to the Texas Longhorns. 

No further details have been immediately made available following Hullaby’s tragic death.

Video shows Couy Griffin being arrested after argument with ‘squatter’

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It was revealed that Cowboys for Trump founder and former Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin was arrested by the Otero County Sherriff’s Department last week. 

A video shared on TikTok and later on Twitter appears to show Griffin being arrested in Tularosa. It is likely to have come from a disgruntled tenant with whom the former official argued in another video.

On the tweet, it claims that Griffin is facing “3 counts for Trespassing,  3 counts for Harassing a Witness (sic).” 

The person who posted the video, likely named “DeWayne Braithwaite,” claimed in a previous video that Griffin “used food to get forced labor out of me. That is human trafficking through fraud.”

The arrest could possibly stem from Griffin potentially attempting to remove the man from a property Griffin was renting him. Other videos who him attempting to inspect his property which Griffin claims the man is “squatting” in.

@mywildlifesanctuary Couy Griffin paid my airfare, flew me 1900 miles, picked me up at the airport, brought me to this house, and said, "Here's where you're sleeping, and this is where you're working". Now that I've completed the first of 2 paint jobs Griffin now wants out of our Agreement without any compensation to me and is calling me a squatter. #couygriffin #cowboysfortrump #foryou ♬ original sound – President D

In a video, the man claims he is being mistreated by Griffin for the Cowboys for Trump founder not making him home-cooked meals every night. To that, Griffin called him a “freeloading loser.” The former official then went on to explain all the food bought for the man.

Braithwaite then claimed, “I am not listening to your dealings no more.” Braithwaite is apparently from La Plata, Maryland, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Other TikTok posts from Braithwaite claim he called police six times previously and they did not act on his claims he was being “human trafficked.”

Griffin then, later in the video, told the man not to “harm my family” and reminded him of Mr. Braithwaite’s 14 years in federal prison. 

Griffin is likely being held at the Otero County Detention Center. 

The Republican was previously removed from office by a far-left Santa Fe judge due to his involvement in the incursion of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. 

MLG fact-checked after her unhinged rant against ‘automatic weapons’

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On Friday, far-left Gov. Michelle Lujan (D-NM) Grisham said she would continue her attacks against the Second Amendment — going further to say no one in America should personally own an “automatic weapon” while appearing for an interview on MSNBC. 

She said, “Frankly, no one that isn’t in the military — this is a weapon of war — or, uh, the trained police department. In my view, no one in America who isn’t in one of those two situations should own an automatic weapon. There is no reason to own one of those…. There is no reason.”

She also said she is “looking at” legislation that died in the last legislative session to “go after gun manufacturers. This is an all-of-the-above approach. Every single thing. I want fewer firearms in the street, I want no more gun trafficking, I want people held accountable, and what happened to Mr. Wilson? Did he reach out for help at the school? I’m going to need to know that. Was there a missed opportunity for a red flag high-risk protection order?”

But after making the unhinged statements, she got brutally fact-checked by Breitbart News and the National Rifle Association (NRA). 

Breitbart wrote, “Contrary to Grisham’s assertion, AR-15s are semiautomatic firearms. They fire one round, and one round only, per trigger pull. The AR-15 has a safety on the lower that allows the owner of the gun to switch between ‘safe’ and ‘fire.’ Automatic weapons, on the other hand, have a select fire switch that allows the owner of the gun to switch between ‘safe,’ ‘semiautomatic fire,’ and ‘automatic fire.’ (In some cases the choice is a three-round burst of auto fire instead of unlimited auto fire.)” 

“Grisham’s claim that an AR-15 is an ‘automatic weapon’ is false,” the article concluded. 

The NRA also shared the video of Lujan Grisham, writing how “yet another governor soft on criminals, aired her extensive gun control wish list on MSNBC. Complete bans on the most popular self-defense rifle, disarming young adults, targeting gun manufacturers, and more. Her erroneous ‘automatic’ AR-15 label: ignorance or deception? The NRA and our members will fight against her anti-gun agenda.” 

Lujan Grisham vows to crush Second Amendment, ‘go after’ gun manufacturers

Lujan Grisham vows to crush Second Amendment, ‘go after’ gun manufacturers

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During an appearance Friday on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said she will continue her attacks against the Second Amendment — going further to say no one in America should personally own an “automatic weapon.”

During the appearance, she said she would continue to try and ban all weapons with high capacities, mandate the age to purchase any firearm is 21 years of age, expand her “red flag” law, and put forward a 14-day waiting period to purchase a gun, among other anti-gun measures. All of these proposals died in the 2023 Legislative Session with a lack of support from the majority of members. 

Morning Joe host Mica Brzezinski asked Lujan Grisham if the Farmington shooter should have been able to get an AR-15, to which she responded, “It shouldn’t. This is my point exactly. Frankly, no one that isn’t in the military — this is a weapon of war — or, uh, the trained police department. In my view, no one in America who isn’t in one of those two situations should own an automatic weapon. There is no reason to own one of those…. There is no reason.” Automatic weapons are already banned in the United States.

She also said she is “looking at” legislation that died in the last legislative session to “go after gun manufacturers. This is an all-of-the-above approach. Every single thing. I want fewer firearms in the street, I want no more gun trafficking, I want people held accountable, and what happened to Mr. Wilson? Did he reach out for help at the school? I’m going to need to know that. Was there a missed opportunity for a red flag high-risk protection order?”

Brzezinski also asked Lujan Grisham about abortion, with Lujan Grisham referring to pro-lifers, “They’re chipping away one thing at a time. They want the Supreme Court in a position to be able to finally rule on that. Congress must act, but in the meantime, we are going to make sure that these medications are available in our state. We’re going to make sure that clinics are available. We’re probably going to have to band together and make sure that there’s a process and resources for women to move and travel across the country…. Democratic governors — and women Democratic governors — are going to make sure that women, no matter where you are, have the ability to get to us for the protections and support you need, including my own Department of Health is looking at launching a national hotline so people really know who is standing up for you and where you can go to be protected.” By protected, she is referring to “protecting” the right to kill a child in the womb up to the ninth month of pregnancy, which is legal in New Mexico.

Governor’s feeble excuse reignites eco-left’s fury over EV tax credit veto

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At a Thursday POLITICO energy summit in Washington, D.C., far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham attempted to justify her veto of electric vehicle tax (EV) credits to the chagrin of eco-leftist groups.

“These were important but way too small,” Lujan Grisham said of the tax credits. “These benefits were so small, they don’t move the needle. Sometimes when you get something, you don’t get a second bite at it.”

According to the Associated Press, “The state would provide a $2,500 refundable personal income tax credit toward the purchase of an electric vehicle — or up … to $4,000 for low-income residents, with an additional $300 credit for car-charging equipment and installation.” Those provisions died on the governor’s desk.

The dark money eco-left group, the Sierra Club of the Rio Grande Chapter, tweeted, “@GovMLG are you truly saying that you vetoed the electric vehicle tax credit that we’ve all been working on for the last 15 years because it was too small? Those were thousands of EVs for low-income New Mexicans that now won’t have that benefit.”

Others charged the governor with “blowing smoke” with her “bull***t response.” 

The Western Environmental Law Center’s executive director Erik Schlenker-Goodrich tweeted, “Listening to @GovMLG at #POLITICOenergy attempt to explain (unpersuasively) why she vetoed sensible climate tax credits just confirms that her administration, after a promising 1st term, has no climate policy agenda in its 2nd term beyond a word salad.”

Previously, a mirage of eco-leftist and enviro-Marxist groups took out full-page ads in the Santa Fe New Mexican, Albuquerque Journal, and Las Cruces Sun-News ripping the governor over her EV tax credit veto. 

Despite the governor promising to act on EVs early in her first term, “climate change” activists described themselves as “pissed” with the governor’s failures to act upon their agenda.

Climate activists are ‘pissed’ after Lujan Grisham vetoed EV tax credits

TV station shreds Lujan Grisham admin. over CYFD’s horrific failures

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On Thursday, KOAT 7 aired a heartbreaking special investigation detailing the failures of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration to protect New Mexico’s children through the Children, Youth, and Families Department.

The 25-minute segment dug deep into the tragedies and avoidable mistakes caused by the “dysfunctional” agency. 

“Target 7 has spent months looking into these cases and searching for solutions as to why children have been placed back into homes, with some ultimately dying,” wrote the network.

It interviewed lawmakers, the attorney general, advocates, parents, law enforcers, and those who have warned about the failures of the catastrophic system that is doing more harm to New Mexico’s children than good.

Following the airing of the segment, state Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park) wrote, “KOAT just put @GovMLG on notice. @koat7news had more balls than 90% of our legislators. 

“We introduced solutions – like ombuds and fixing CARA. From now on, if you oppose these bills, the blood is on you,” she continued. 

Bills to reform CYFD died in the 2023 Legislative Session, continuing a broken system that has harmed and killed children.

WATCH: 

Lujan Grisham declares war on federally approved nuclear storage project

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On Thursday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham launched a thinly veiled threat about the Holtec International facility that was recently approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The Commission OK’d the facility, which will safely store casks of spent nuclear fuel in an interim facility in Eddy and Lea counties.

Holtec International, which has a gleaming reputation for nuclear power and storage, began the approval process for constructing the facility in 2017, gathering widespread support from the region. 

Metropolitan-area Democrats, including Lujan Grisham, have been bemoaning the potential of the safe facility to exist in New Mexico, erroneously claiming it would create a “dumping ground” of nuclear “waste,” spurring the passage of S.B. 53, aiming to stop the facility from being built. There was bipartisan opposition to try and preempt the company from coming to New Mexico.

Sens. Moe Maestas (D-Bernalillo) and Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D-Bernalillo), as well as Reps. Ambrose Castellano (D-Ribera), Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), Meredith Dixon (D-Bernalillo), Patricia Lundstrom (D-Gallup), and Joseph Sanchez (D-Alcalde) joined all Republicans in opposition to the unconstitutional bill.

These safe fuel rods, housed in secure casks, would be transported by rail to the facility on train shipments specifically for storage. The project would account for over 350 new jobs. 

The casks are immune to hurricanes, floods, tornados, earthquakes, and even the impact of a plane crash. There would be no adverse effect on wildlife nor on groundwater, no radiological consequences in the event of a fire, and an inconspicuous design. 

Despite the facts, Lujan Grisham is issuing threats to Holtec International and federal regulators after the project was approved. 

The governor told POLITICO, “I will use every tool in my toolbox” to stymie the project.

“I think other states need to step up. I think other solutions need to step up,” Lujan Grisham said during POLITICO’s first-ever Energy Summit. “And I’ll take it as a compliment. This is a highly scientific state … that does a lot of innovation with two of [the Energy Department’s] national labs right here. But don’t expect us to always do the heavy lifting here.”

The outlet reported, “On Thursday, Lujan Grisham said she supported advanced energy technologies and acknowledged the U.S. should be ‘a little bit more open-minded’ about what technologies fuel the clean energy transition. But she criticized the federal government and Holtec’s process for weighing the risks of nuclear waste storage within her state.”

Immediately following the NRC decision, Lujan Grisham and Attorney General Raúl Torrez fumed about the decision in a joint statement.

“It also undermines the NRC’s alleged commitment to meaningful engagement with stakeholders, as it appears our concerns were wholly ignored and went unaddressed by Holtec and the NRC,” they wrote, despite the lengthy process Holtec took to receive approvals and work with the state and local stakeholders.

NRC’s approval of Holtec project leaves Gov. Lujan Grisham, AG Torrez fuming
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