Washington – -(AmmoLand.com)- A pro-rights Republican Washington state representative was suspended from access to House staff and caucus meetings this week after a report — by a private firm called the Rampart Group — alleged he “participated in domestic terrorism against the United States,” according to the Seattle Times.
The report may be read here.
AmmoLand News reviewed the 108-page report, which had been “engaged” by the Washington State House of Representatives earlier this year. According to the report, “Rampart Group LLC investigators have obtained evidence that Representative Shea, as a leader of the Patriot Movement, planned, engaged in, and promoted a total of three armed conflicts of political violence against the United States Government in three states outside the State of Washington over a three-year period…”
The story is receiving international attention.
AmmoLand News reached out to Shea for comment but he did not respond. However, he did post a message on his Facebook page that is receiving lots of reaction.
“MY INITIAL RESPONSE:
“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. Thank you to everyone for the massive outpouring of support prayers! I will continue to defend the constitution against tyranny and fight to protect our God given unalienable rights to life, liberty, property, and the ability to defend the same.”
Shea, from far-eastern Washington’s Spokane Valley, has become known as a stalwart gun rights advocate during his time in the Washington Legislature. He has appeared several times at Second Amendment rallies held in Olympia on the capitol steps.
But allegations in the report are disturbing.
The report says Shea “dispatched local militia Liberty For /all III% – Washington leader Anthony Bosworth to Bunkerville, Nevada on April 9, 2014 to assess the need for an armed militia to stand against the US Government in support of rancher Cliven Bundy and his family in resistance to a federal court order.”
Further, the report states, “Shea prepared and posted a plea on a III% militia website on April 10, 2014 for Patriot Movement members nationwide to travel to Bunkerville…and stand with the Bundy family that resulted in the April 11, 2014 turnout of approximately 1500 armed militia members that stood against the US government.”
The report also says Shea called the visit to Bunkerville “a fact-finding mission.”
In August 2015, Shea “traveled to Priest River, Idaho and engaged in an armed conflict with the US Government Veteran’s Administration (VA) in resistance to the planned lawful removal of firearms from a military veteran whose name had been added to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as a person determined by a healthcare professional as not eligible to purchase firearms.”
But there is more to this story, which can be found with some digging. Shea was not the only lawmaker at the protest, which was organized to protect U.S. Navy veteran John Arnold from being disarmed by an Obama-era policy aimed at veterans. According to the story, which was archived here, “the protest…attracted roughly 100 people. Among them were Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler, who promised to stand guard against any federal attempts to remove Arnold’s guns, and Republican Washington state Rep. Matthew Shea of Spokane Valley, who described the event as a ‘defiance against tyranny.’”
According to KHQ News, Sheriff Wheeler “also stood up for Arnold’s rights. He told a VA rep that his office would stop any inspection and attempt at a weapons seizure.”
The protest was also attended by Idaho State Rep. Heather Scott. Ultimately, the VA backed down, and contrary to what the report described, there was no “armed conflict.”
The third “conflict” alleged by the Rampart Group said Shea, in a leadership role as chair of the Coalition of Western States (COWS) along with Liberty For All III% “engaged in conversations with Ammon Bundy and other militia members in the planning and preparation of the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns, Oregon.” The report says Shea published a press release as “a call to action for Patriot Movement members and militias to rally in Harney County Oregon against the US Government in support of two lawfully arrested, convicted and sentenced residents of Harney County who committed crimes against the US Government.”
The report asserts that Shea, using the pseudonym “Verumbellator” in January 2016 “created a detailed military-styled operation plan…that included roles and responsibilities of COWS members and militia leadership in support of the armed occupation of the Malheur refuge.
There are several “findings” of the report, all essentially portraying to Shea as being engaged in “domestic terrorism.”
Elsewhere in the report, it is alleged that Shea, “from 2013 through 2019 condoned intimidation by supporters of his political opposition to include activists, government officials, Muslims, and others who speak or act in opposition to his personal beliefs and his political agenda.”
The report also asserts that Shea “engaged in counterintelligence gathering and acted in opposition to the lawful efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement.”
The report contains links to several stories about Shea’s activities as a conservative, including one in which Spokane City Council members called for Shea to resign from the legislature.
There is also considerable discussion about the Patriot Movement. The report ends with a “risk assessment” that begins with this:
“Although this investigation found no evidence that Representative Shea presents an imminent direct threat to any individual or group, considerable evidence was discovered indicating Representative Shea has since 2014, presented a significant threat of political violence against employees of the Federal Government and state and local law enforcement officers, carried out their intermediaries sympathetic to the Patriot Movement.”
The report also asserts that Shea’s activities “appear to meet the definition of political violence and when viewed holistically, these activities appear to have been successful…”
A report in the Seattle P-I.com said Shea would not resign and he claimed he was a victim of a “sham investigation.”
About Dave Workman
Dave Workman is a senior editor at TheGunMag.com and Liberty Park Press, author of multiple books on the Right to Keep & Bear Arms and formerly an NRA-certified firearms instructor.
It sounds more like he was doing GOD’s work and working with those who refuse to bow-down to the socialist Democrats. We need more politicians like this not less.
Other men of note who were considered Domestic Terrorists against a Tyrannical government. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton. Just to name a few. Any citizen willing to Stand Up against Tyranny is considered a terrorist in the eyes of the Tyrant. Keep Your Powder Dry.
When the commie leftists do it, they call it ‘civil disobedience’.
When a ‘deplorable’ conservative does it, STOP THE PRESSES, IT’S DOMESTIC TERRORISM!!!
Phuck the enemy propaganda media, and all the lefties out there; and SHAME on the RINOs who cave to these domestic enemies of liberty!!!
America needs two purges; one to remove all communists from every aspect of public life, and another so the RINOs can join them!
Flatt: “Phuck”, just added to my dictionary. Phuck yes, your are phucking right. It is these public servants who are in insurrection to become our masters. This insurrection needs to be suppressed and these servants need to be discharged and barred form service. The question here is if there are enough freedom demanding Americans to do this. Also, is there enough to defeat those demanding to be mastered. The battles will be more horrendous as more success in our oppression by our public servants increases..
I saw this on the Fox news readable banner. There was no other info. I must admit, when I see something on Fox I seldom add salt…Now we see here is what Paul Harvey would call the rest of the story. Accusations are one thing and the truth can be very different. Consider the source. Hitler would be proud of the work the socialist, communist, demoncrapic left does. Add to that Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, O bama, Clinton and satan. I suppose the left’s actions are to be expected; burning books, tearing down monuments, destroying any historical content they don’t… Read more »
Rampart Group LLC are private investigators out of Seattle. Who and why contracted a private firm to watch a State Representative instead of state law inforcement?
Follow the money and I’ll bet you find the rats
hidden in plain view.
Looks like the Democrats know no boundaries when it comes to taking power and eliminating the opposition.
Does it seem odd to anyone but me, that the Washington State government seems to jump on Matt Shea but took very little action against the protests by ANTIFA during the last year? We have an individual who they admit they have “no evidence” against and a group that burned cars, assaulted people and fire bombed government buildings. Then there was that little crap-fest at the INS building, nothing became of that either. Just seems odd.
Informative and well written Mr. Workman.
the psychological definition is called projection. accusing your opponent of what you are actually doing. the democrat supported fascist group, anti-fa, is engaged in the conduct they are accusing rep shea of doing. this is a upgrade in the attacks against lawful civil disobedience that is allowed in the Bill of Rights. if his conduct is unlawful, charge him with a crime, don’t attempt to disparage him, his reputation and the lawful exercise of a protected right. virtually every terrorist has been from the left side of the political spectrum, not the right. the left does not believe in the… Read more »
Karl Marx said “accuse your enemies of that which YOU DO”
Welcome Patriot Shea! We WILL need you in the coming years!!
“Although this investigation found no evidence”
End of story.
If what Dave wrote here is the most damning “evidence”, I do not see where there is the proverbial fire, not even the attendant smoke. I read accusations, but nothing of substance.
You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the great struggle for independence.
— Attributed to Charles Austin Beard (1874-1948)
As the communist handbook states; DESTROY the INDIVIDUAL’S character. Make that individual INEFFECTIVE in the eyes of others. ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK – – Slander by any means IS STILL SLANDER!!!!!!!!!! These DemocRAT national communists need to be held accountable for these SLANDEROUS ATTACKS.
There’s not enough miles of rope for this. Gonna need to toss them from helicopters. It’s worked well for anti-communists since 1973!!
How old are you, twelve?
No, but you are. Now STFU & GTFO.
Just answer the question, peewee.
Now Clark, In this season of Christmas and mercy towards one’s fellow man and the less fortunate among us, you should be concentrating on the liquor store sales in your area. Then go take a nice long nap.
Glad to see you still have some feistiness Wild Bill.
@Safe, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Firearm, brother patriot.
Super: My training in mental health helping behooves me to address you. Any twelve year old not yet a libtard can successfully counter your mentality. It appears that you have been indoctrinated into a libtard. For your sake and that of others, obtain the services of brainwashing deprogrammer.
LOL! And btw Clark Kent above got his snowflake sensibilities hurt and went & cried to mommy (Ammoland). Libtards can’t handle a little insensitivity at all!
Libtards don’t get the hint. They keep coming back to harass, annoy, and frustrate. When they are subjected to rampant insensitivity, they cry to mommy and flag all of their opponents’ posts to get them banned/muted/censored/reprimanded/etc. And that’s when they’re being “nice”. They are literally impossible to live with and the #1 reason why there WILL be a civil war in the USA. Eventually enough people will get fed up enough that they won’t tolerate another minute of their commie BS and the shooting will start. I’ll be happy when that day comes, because I’ve been watching their BS for… Read more »
I saw this cork tied closed, and have been watching it build pressure for decades now. Since back in the 1970s.
That’s the word for it all right. Finally. When this pressure cooker finally blows its top, its going to be epic! It must be thousands of PSI in there by now.
@wjd – ikr? Yeah thats why I told him to shut up. idiots like that all need an on-the-spot Darwin Award.
How old are you, twelve?
How old are you, twelve?
Super: To risk seeming sexist. Are you male, female, or other? Also, are you being confined without proper care? Be aware that such situations retards the ability to learn.
How old are you, twelve?
Will: Our Superduper here may not yet be an adolescent. He/she/it may be under twelve, kids can be good with computers.
He might have been barred use of this site, hopefully permanently. I sent the following yesterday:
A person going by the username: “superman”, is insulting others and attempting to cause as much trouble as possible, on this page:
https://www.ammoland.com/2019/12/pro-gun-wa-state-rep-matt-shea-accused-by-partisan-report-of-domestic-terrorism/#comment-2797879
Thank You for your time, and hopefully for addressing this issue.
Username Knute
etc…..
USA & Knute, Speaking strictly for myself, As far as I know nobody at AmmoLand watches hard core lefty satanic cannibalism indoctrination movies. Come on, that’s a bit over the top. Superman makes silly comments, but so does most everybody now and then. Unless they are directed at a specific person and are on a level of instigating violence, they are pretty much allowed, witness the comments about helicopters. That’s right on the line. You may not agree with Harold, he may even cause you to lose hair, but we believe in the 1A and the 2A, and ALL the… Read more »
@USA – That’s great but ya know I was just thinking about all the inner cities where commietards tend to concentrate, and we have a ready-made local solution, that’s high-rise buildings. Just toss ’em from the rooftops – free flying lessons.
You can take a commie up in a helicopter and he will fly for a day. Toss him from a high-rise and he’ll fly for the rest of his life. LOL
How old are you, twelve?
You already asked this before, dipwit. Get lost or get rekd, I dont care which.
Communists always claim those demanding freedom are terrorists.
Before your eyes you see American states turning communist and against the Constitution.
The weak will always be brow-beaten into submission.
Lenin must be so proud.
Typical of the liberal Democrats and corrupt news organizations.
Tried in the court of public opinion with no evidence in a effort to destroy his name and reputation.
For them innocent till proven guilty in a court of law is a inconvenience.
Weren’t the Bundy’s vindicated in Court? Wasn’t the policy on which the effort to disarm Arnold rooted thrown out? Apparently the left’s terrorists are America’s freedom fighters.
Everytime someone stands up for the Rights Of The People, all of a sudden he’s has done this or that, he’s part of this or that group or he’s done something or the other. Well hell, I hope he has. That only means he has been in the fight and he’s a Bigg Dogg in this fight, and they are scared of his bark. Keep up the fight and the good work Mr. Shea. From a Spokane Valley, Washington resident.
Apparently the report of terrorist activity was submitted by a private investigation company. To my knowledge any such information discovered by private investigators is to present to government investigators prior to or instead of clients. It would be nice to know who paid for the investigator services. .
These kind of allegations, in this case against a sitting legislator, is typical of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes. They indict based on creative and subjective reasons. If this kind of approach to applying law isn’t rejected out of hand by fellow Americans, we are in for big trouble. It illustrates why we need mandatory education about the Constitution in civics class.
@Wass, Conviction by accusation is typical of junior high school children, too! It is as if the libtard movement learned nothing in school and are proud of it. Merry Christmas and Restore the Republic.
She is not dead, no indication that the paperwork was fake, just out of date. I have not seen nor heard of any reference by the cops to DRUGS or drug paraphernalia at the scene. Please educate your damn self.
The fact is that ALL legal citizens in this country are legally bound by the Constitution, to stand against any tyranny that the US government, state governments, or local governments are involved in. Even our government leaders and our military take an oath to support and defend the Constitution, but it does NOT say they are to support and defend the government when it is in direct violation of the Constitution, the people, or the rights of the people. And any law that government makes that tries to protect itself from the right of the people is an illegal law.… Read more »
Sounds like ample grounds for a defamation of character lawsuit. Sue them into oblivion!
If the left were doing what they accuse this representative of doing they would characterize the situation as saying is it a somber day but we had to do it and stand up for the oath of office we took; shall we all say a prayer? The left is getting more full of crap everyday. My wet weather boots are no longer cutting it. Need to get some chest high waiters!
Here is the “Services” provided by the “rampart Group”.
https://rampartgroup.com/our-services/
Looks like they closely work with the FBI and are James Comey friendly. That ought to tell us who exactly they are – working with the deep state. Buyer Beware.
While so many of us waste our times in court proceedings with scum lawyers, the communists creep closer and closer to fulfilling their gun confiscation agenda. What avenues are left for us to ENFORCE those in politics to keep the oaths they took to uphold the Constitution and defend it from enemies both foreign and domestic? I am tired of reading articles knowing these communists get away with murder – literally and figuratively. What recourse do we have against non-political businesses, foundations, agencies ie the Rampart Group, aside from suing them and taking forever to receive compensation if it ever… Read more »
https://www.thepostemail.com/2013/07/04/unconstitutional-laws-are-no-laws-at-all/
You bring to the attention of the courts the points that are mentioned in this article. When they violate their oath by enforcing obviously illegal and unconstitutional law, then you sue them, initiate public petitions to force them out of office, etc. If you are unwilling to fight, then you deserve to lose your rights; which is not the same as losing the fight!
You can sue them, you can initiate petitions, you can fight “legally” and you could and would be right. BUT; you’ll be fighting against demonRATS in courts packed with demonRATS who have an endless supply of demonRAT money. I may get backlash from this but I’ll say it anyway: War is the ONLY way to remove this cancer from our nation. Sometimes it gets to the point that war is our only real recourse. We are at that point NOW. Look at what’s happening in Virginia. Look at what’s happening in many other states – California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and… Read more »
I’ve often wondered about that USA. Perhaps, for what ever reason, both sides do want a civil war. It seems to me that neither side is working , at all, to stop one. Why are they letting all the demonRAT players get away with all their PROVEN anti American and treasonous activities? Why is Barr taking so long to bring charges against these criminals. Why has Trump not brought up charges of treason against these communist criminals? Why is the right not working hard to restore constitutional law to the government? Why in God’s name do we have ANY muslims… Read more »
I’m inclined to believe you USA. I have been preparing as much as possible and so have others around me. We’ve stockpiled food, ammo and other supplies. I’m also trying to get others involved. Many unfortunately have their heads in the sand. My sergeant (militia) also believes we’re in for a rough time, at least for a while. Thank you for your reply. I read all and try to understand everyone’s position. I appreciate all positive input. Hope everyone posting here has a great Christmas… It may be the last one for awhile.
Stand up for people’s constitutional rights and you become labeled a domestic terrorist. WTF is happening to this country?
Anti-America communist democrats DEMAND a communist United States.
They tell you every day and the American people ignore them.
The criminals er uh democrats in Washington are responsible for this story and accusations so you know right away they are phony. The corruption within the Washington democrat political crowd is so deep even the worst traitors would rollover in their grave.
I live in ID just across the border from Spokane Valley. Local news is owned by the left. You only get Democrat propaganda and talking points from these sources. For a more balanced view, check out Gem State Patriot dot com and related publications linked there.
There are wonderful 2A patriots here but even the great American Redoubt is being invaded by communists and alphabet people bent on eliminating our natural rights.
I like the name Rampart, reminds me of the LA police scandal. Are those same people involved in that, the authors of this drivel?
There is a fairly good movie available on YouTube about that titled: “Shadow on the Land.”
So, it is “Domestic Terrorism” to support the Constitution, Freedom and Liberty.
The country is being lost, bit by bit, Right by Right.
As I remember, the Founding Fathers did not allow such actions without danger to the well-being of the tyrant. They expected the American people would fight to keep Freedom and Liberty. Wow, were THEY wrong.
Everyone wants to be a Patriot….until it is time to do patriot things.
Shea is a stall-worth 2A supporter. However, he’s also a complete nut case! I have no idea how he’s been able to get re-elected so many times. I’m a constitutional libertarian and agree with many of your comments. However, you don’t know this guy. He is one looney nut case. Read his manifesto. Do not defend this dude! You have no idea what he stands for.
Dave,
Your article gives creedence to the allegations by saying they are “disturbing”.
Frankly, the one-sided nature of your article is disturbing.
I believe you should step down from your position with “TheGunMag.com”.
I’ll stop short of calling for Workman to step-down as he’s been an effective pro2A voice, but seriously, Dave, “disturbing”?
How about some scrutiny about into who paid for the hitpiece by Rampart and who owns and runs the firm? As regards to Bundy: One man’s terrorist is another’s freedom fighter.
Safe..: What are you talking about and why are you?
Dave says it is disturbing to defend Liberty. Imagine THAT!