State Rep. Matt Shea (R-WA) has announced that he will not seek reelection after an investigation said that he “engaged in domestic terrorism,” The Seattle Times reported Sunday.
A House committee investigation found that Shea participated in a trio of standoffs against the government. They sent their findings to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, saying Shea assisted “in the planning and preparation” of the 2016 armed takeover at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Eastern Oregon. He was part of an armed occupation at the refuge with militia leader Ammon Bundy, who was part of the 2014 standoff at the Bundy Ranch, The report says.
The standoff began after the Bundy’s refused to pay for grazing rights after allowing their cattle to graze on federal lands without paying for it.
Shea, who has a history of conspiracy theories, says he’s part of a “Marxist smear campaign” and “a coup,” according to The Times.
The news outlet also noted that “just a few days ago, state officials said they billed Shea for more than $4,700 in damages after the lawmaker apparently poured olive oil on the steps of the Capitol in the waning days of the legislative session as part of a counter-demonstration of a permitted event held by Satanists.”
