New Mexico judge disqualifies Jan. 6 insurrectionist from running for public office
A New Mexico state district court judge has disqualified county commissioner and Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin from holding public office for engaging in insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
State District Court Judge Francis Mathew issued a ruling Tuesday that permanently prohibits Griffin from holding or seeking local or federal office.
Griffin was previously convicted in federal court of a misdemeanor for entering Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021. He was sentenced to 14 days and given credit for time served.
The ruling immediately removes Griffin from his position as a commissioner in Otero County.
The decision marked the first time since 1869 that someone was removed from public office for violating Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, also known as the Disqualification Clause, according to .
Written to keep former Confederates from holding elected positions, the clause bars any person from holding federal or state office who took an 鈥渙ath鈥o support the Constitution of the United States鈥� as an 鈥渙fficer of any State鈥� and then 鈥渆ngaged in insurrection or rebellion鈥� or gave 鈥渁id or comfort鈥� to insurrectionists.
