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Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 188

Nothing to See Here

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 188: Nothing to See Here

GOP Lawmaker Accused of Domestic Terrorism

December 20, 2019 at 8:19 am ET By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

A report produced for the Washington state legislature found state Rep. Matthew Shea (R) “participated in an act of domestic terrorism against the United States” and represents a threat of political violence.

The report also said Shea “advocated the replacement of U.S. democracy with a theocracy and the killing of all males who do not agree.”

The Spokane Spokesman-Review reports Republicans expelled Shea from their caucus.

Shea responded with characteristic defiance, writing on Facebook: “Like we are seeing with our President this is a sham investigation meant to silence those of us who stand up against attempts to disarm and destroy our great country. I will not back down, I will not give in, I will not resign. Stand strong fellow Patriots.”

Filed Under: State House Tagged With: Matt Shea

GOP Lawmaker Preparing for ‘Biblical Warfare’

August 19, 2019 at 5:26 pm ET By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Washington state Rep. Matt Shea (R) “connected close allies with a group offering training to young men in ‘biblical warfare’ that includes how to use knives, pistols and rifles, with lessons based in part on the teachings of a Georgia-based neo-Confederate pastor,” the Guardian reports.

“Shea later made videos in support of the group, and appeared alongside them at a gathering at a religious community in remote eastern Washington. He also paid the founder of the group money from his campaign fund in 2018.”

The Spokane Spokesman-Review says that Shea and some of his closest supporters “have made physical preparations for a holy war, one that would help them establish their long-envisioned 51st state, their Redoubt, their Christian homeland.”

Filed Under: State House Tagged With: Matt Shea

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About Political Wire

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

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