Supreme Court Denies Appeal of 'Cowboys for Trump' Leader Removed After Insurrection

Couy Griffin, the founder of "Cowboys for Trump" and a former county commissioner in New Mexico, has been barred from holding public office following his conviction related to the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. His removal from office was predicated on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which disqualifies individuals from serving in office if they have engaged in insurrection after previously taking an oath to support the Constitution.

The Supreme Court declined to review Griffin's appeal, effectively affirming the decision that Griffin's disqualification from office will stand. This follows a separate ruling in which the Supreme Court found that states could not enforce this constitutional provision against federal officeholders, as seen in a case involving former President Donald Trump in Colorado. Griffin had been convicted of a misdemeanor for entering and remaining on restricted grounds during the events of January 6 and was sentenced to 14 days in jail.

Griffin's case is significant as it represents the first instance of an elected official being removed from office in connection with the Capitol attack. The ruling has potential implications for how similar cases may be handled in the future, specifically regarding the accountability of elected officials for their involvement in the events of January 6. The Supreme Court's decision underscores the distinction between state and federal authority in enforcing disqualifications for insurrection under the Constitution.