Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin is fighting to keep his seat as a New Mexico county commissioner as he faces possible removal and disqualification from public office for his involvement in last year’s riot at the US Capitol. Griffin was previously convicted of a misdemeanor for entering the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He was sentenced to 14 days and given credit for time served. Three residents of Santa Fe and Los Alamos counties have filed a lawsuit seeking to remove Griffin as Otero County’s 2nd District commissioner for the remainder of his term. Griffin, a 47-year-old Republican, is representing himself in the two-day trial that began Monday. “This lawsuit is about removing a duly elected county commissioner from office through civil court,” Griffin told the court. “By allowing this case to proceed, you will set a very dangerous precedent.” On the witness stand Monday, Griffin said he went to Washington to peacefully protest and pray with other Trump supporters. “I had no intention of breaking the law that day,” he said. The three plaintiffs in the case argued in a 259-page petition that Griffin should be disqualified from holding public office under a clause in the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. The amendment provides that anyone who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution is disqualified from office for taking part in rebellion or insurrection or giving aid or comfort to the enemies of the nation.
