Matt Shea: Difference between revisions
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'''Matthew Thomas Shea''' (born April 18, 1974) is an American politician and attorney. A [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], he serves in the [[Washington House of Representatives]], representing the [[Washington's 4th legislative district|4th Legislative District]]. |
'''Matthew Thomas Shea''' (born April 18, 1974) is an American politician and attorney. A [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], he serves in the [[Washington House of Representatives]], representing the [[Washington's 4th legislative district|4th Legislative District]]. |
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In October 2018, Shea acknowledged that he had distributed a four page manifesto which called for the killing of non-Christian males if a war were to occur and they do not agree to follow fundamentalist biblical law.<ref name="FBIscrutiny">{{cite news |title=Washington State Lawmaker’s ‘Holy Army’ Manifesto Prompts FBI Scrutiny |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/washington-state-lawmakers-holy-army-manifesto-prompts-fbi-scrutiny |work=The Daily Beast |date=November 1, 2018 |accessdate=November 4, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Seattle Times Manifesto">{{cite news |first=Chad |last=Sokol |title=Washington state lawmaker Matt Shea defends advocacy for ‘Holy Army’ as Spokane sheriff refers his writings to FBI |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/state-lawmaker-matt-shea-defends-advocacy-for-holy-army-as-spokane-sheriff-refers-his-writings-to-fbi/ |work=The Seattle Times |date=November 2, 2018 |accessdate=November 4, 2018}}</ref> Shea was referred to the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] for investigation as a result.<ref name="DistributedPaper">{{cite news |title=Lawmaker Says He Distributed 'Biblical Basis for War' Paper |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2018-11-01/lawmaker-says-he-distributed-biblical-basis-for-war-paper |work=U.S. News & World Report |agency=AP |date=November 1, 2018 |accessdate=November 4, 2018}}</ref> In April 2019, Shea was removed as State House Republican Caucus Chair for advocating violence against religious minorities and offering state surveillance of political enemies to members of hate groups.<ref>https://www.khq.com/news/wa-lt-gov-cyrus-habib-announces-rep-matt-shea-has/article_7912fbf2-80ea-5acc-b039-0bf3d7a99da1.html</ref> An investigative report commissioned by the House, issued on December 1, 2019, found that Shea "participated in an act of domestic terrorism against the United States", having organized and supported "three armed conflicts of political violence."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6589242-Shea-WA-House-Report.html|title=Report of Investigation Regarding Representative Matt Shea|last=Loedler|first=Kathy|last2=Loedler|first2=Paul|date=December 1, 2019|publisher=Washington State House of Representatives|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref> Immediately after the report was issued, he was removed from the House Republican Caucus.<ref name=":2" /> |
In October 2018, Shea acknowledged that he had distributed a four page manifesto which called for the killing of non-Christian males if a war were to occur and they do not agree to follow fundamentalist biblical law.<ref name="FBIscrutiny">{{cite news |title=Washington State Lawmaker’s ‘Holy Army’ Manifesto Prompts FBI Scrutiny |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/washington-state-lawmakers-holy-army-manifesto-prompts-fbi-scrutiny |work=The Daily Beast |date=November 1, 2018 |accessdate=November 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103134558/https://www.thedailybeast.com/washington-state-lawmakers-holy-army-manifesto-prompts-fbi-scrutiny |archive-date=November 3, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Seattle Times Manifesto">{{cite news |first=Chad |last=Sokol |title=Washington state lawmaker Matt Shea defends advocacy for ‘Holy Army’ as Spokane sheriff refers his writings to FBI |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/state-lawmaker-matt-shea-defends-advocacy-for-holy-army-as-spokane-sheriff-refers-his-writings-to-fbi/ |work=The Seattle Times |date=November 2, 2018 |accessdate=November 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103134555/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/state-lawmaker-matt-shea-defends-advocacy-for-holy-army-as-spokane-sheriff-refers-his-writings-to-fbi/ |archive-date=November 3, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shea was referred to the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] for investigation as a result.<ref name="DistributedPaper">{{cite news |title=Lawmaker Says He Distributed 'Biblical Basis for War' Paper |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2018-11-01/lawmaker-says-he-distributed-biblical-basis-for-war-paper |work=U.S. News & World Report |agency=AP |date=November 1, 2018 |accessdate=November 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103091812/https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2018-11-01/lawmaker-says-he-distributed-biblical-basis-for-war-paper |archive-date=November 3, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2019, Shea was removed as State House Republican Caucus Chair for advocating violence against religious minorities and offering state surveillance of political enemies to members of hate groups.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.khq.com/news/wa-lt-gov-cyrus-habib-announces-rep-matt-shea-has/article_7912fbf2-80ea-5acc-b039-0bf3d7a99da1.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=April 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425232202/https://www.khq.com/news/wa-lt-gov-cyrus-habib-announces-rep-matt-shea-has/article_7912fbf2-80ea-5acc-b039-0bf3d7a99da1.html |archive-date=April 25, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> An investigative report commissioned by the House, issued on December 1, 2019, found that Shea "participated in an act of domestic terrorism against the United States", having organized and supported "three armed conflicts of political violence."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6589242-Shea-WA-House-Report.html|title=Report of Investigation Regarding Representative Matt Shea|last=Loedler|first=Kathy|last2=Loedler|first2=Paul|date=December 1, 2019|publisher=Washington State House of Representatives|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220011447/https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6589242-Shea-WA-House-Report.html|archive-date=December 20, 2019|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref> Immediately after the report was issued, he was removed from the House Republican Caucus.<ref name=":2" /> |
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==Early life and education== |
==Early life and education== |
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Shea graduated from high school in [[Bellingham, Washington]]. He received a bachelor's degree from [[Gonzaga University]] in 1996 and a law degree from [[Gonzaga University School of Law]] in 2006.<ref name=Center>[http://www.spokesman.com/elections/2018/washington-general-election-nov-6/candidates/matt-shea/ Election Center: Matt Shea], ''Spokesman-Review''.</ref> |
Shea graduated from high school in [[Bellingham, Washington]]. He received a bachelor's degree from [[Gonzaga University]] in 1996 and a law degree from [[Gonzaga University School of Law]] in 2006.<ref name=Center>[http://www.spokesman.com/elections/2018/washington-general-election-nov-6/candidates/matt-shea/ Election Center: Matt Shea] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103091853/http://www.spokesman.com/elections/2018/washington-general-election-nov-6/candidates/matt-shea/ |date=November 3, 2018 }}, ''Spokesman-Review''.</ref> |
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== Military career == |
== Military career == |
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==Political career == |
==Political career == |
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Shea was first elected to office in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/2009-cappys-honor-legislators-and-unforgettable-moments/|title=2009 Cappys honor legislators and unforgettable moments {{!}} HeraldNet.com|date=April 25, 2009|work=HeraldNet.com|access-date=May 13, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> He was re-elected in 2012, 2014, and 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20161108/Legislative-District-4-State-Representative-Pos-1_ByCounty.html|title=November 8, 2016 General Election Results - Legislative District 4 - State Representative Pos. 1 County Breakdown|website=results.vote.wa.gov|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20141104/spokane/|title=Spokane County November 4, 2014 General Election|website=results.vote.wa.gov|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20121106/LegislativeDistrict04.html|title=Legislative District 04|website=results.vote.wa.gov|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> |
Shea was first elected to office in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/2009-cappys-honor-legislators-and-unforgettable-moments/|title=2009 Cappys honor legislators and unforgettable moments {{!}} HeraldNet.com|date=April 25, 2009|work=HeraldNet.com|access-date=May 13, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514064806/https://www.heraldnet.com/news/2009-cappys-honor-legislators-and-unforgettable-moments/|archive-date=May 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He was re-elected in 2012, 2014, and 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20161108/Legislative-District-4-State-Representative-Pos-1_ByCounty.html|title=November 8, 2016 General Election Results - Legislative District 4 - State Representative Pos. 1 County Breakdown|website=results.vote.wa.gov|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224040721/http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20161108/Legislative-District-4-State-Representative-Pos-1_ByCounty.html|archive-date=December 24, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20141104/spokane/|title=Spokane County November 4, 2014 General Election|website=results.vote.wa.gov|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724124135/http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20141104/spokane/|archive-date=July 24, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20121106/LegislativeDistrict04.html|title=Legislative District 04|website=results.vote.wa.gov|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701185628/http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20121106/LegislativeDistrict04.html|archive-date=July 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Shea hosts ''Patriot Radio'', a twice-weekly show broadcast on the American Christian Network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.acn.cc/|title=American Christian Network|website=www.acn.cc|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> |
Shea hosts ''Patriot Radio'', a twice-weekly show broadcast on the American Christian Network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.acn.cc/|title=American Christian Network|website=www.acn.cc|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101182003/http://www.acn.cc/|archive-date=January 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Shea was a co-founder and director of the Washington Family Foundation, a [[socially conservative]] advocacy group.<ref name="Craig">John Craig (July 31, 2008). [http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2008/jul/31/divorced-candidate-promotes-family-values/ Divorced candidate promotes family values]. ''Spokesman-Review''</ref> He was also a board member of the anti-same-sex marriage group Protect Marriage Washington, and during his first time in office introduced legislation seeking to block the recognition of [[same-sex marriage in Washington]].<ref>Dominic Holden, [https://www.thestranger.com/seattle/meet-the-four-men-in-washington-state-most-obsessed-with-stopping-gay-marriage/Content?oid=1635015 Know Thy Enemy: Meet the Four Men Most Obsessed with Stopping Gay Marriage in Washington State], ''The Stranger'' (June 4, 2009).</ref> |
Shea was a co-founder and director of the Washington Family Foundation, a [[socially conservative]] advocacy group.<ref name="Craig">John Craig (July 31, 2008). [http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2008/jul/31/divorced-candidate-promotes-family-values/ Divorced candidate promotes family values] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514065330/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2008/jul/31/divorced-candidate-promotes-family-values/ |date=May 14, 2018 }}. ''Spokesman-Review''</ref> He was also a board member of the anti-same-sex marriage group Protect Marriage Washington, and during his first time in office introduced legislation seeking to block the recognition of [[same-sex marriage in Washington]].<ref>Dominic Holden, [https://www.thestranger.com/seattle/meet-the-four-men-in-washington-state-most-obsessed-with-stopping-gay-marriage/Content?oid=1635015 Know Thy Enemy: Meet the Four Men Most Obsessed with Stopping Gay Marriage in Washington State] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924125501/https://www.thestranger.com/seattle/meet-the-four-men-in-washington-state-most-obsessed-with-stopping-gay-marriage/Content?oid=1635015 |date=September 24, 2019 }}, ''The Stranger'' (June 4, 2009).</ref> |
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Shea is a founding member and current chairman of the Coalition of Western States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cowstates.com/|title=Home - Coalition of Western States|website=Coalition of Western States|language=en-US|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> In an interview, Shea stated that COWS's goals are to "facilitate the transfer of public lands back to the state level, and to have the states and counties manage the land".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radiofreeredoubt.com/2014/04/14/coalition-of-western-states-forms-to-protect-against-federal-overreach/|title=Coalition Of Western States forms to Protect Against Federal Overreach {{!}} Radio Free Redoubt|website=radiofreeredoubt.com|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> During the 2014 [[occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge]], Shea and other COWS members traveled to Burns, Oregon, allegedly attempting to negotiate on behalf of the militants occupying the reserve.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.opb.org/news/series/burns-oregon-standoff-bundy-militia-news-updates/republican-gop-politicians-coalition-western-states/|title=Republican Politicians Planned And Participated In Key Aspects Of Refuge Occupation|last=Sepulvado|first=John|website=www.opb.org|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> In 2015, Shea supported Idaho Representative [[Heather Scott]], a fellow COWS member, in a protest near the home of John Arnold. Arnold had received a letter from the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|Department of Veterans Affairs]] stating the VA had found him mentally incompetent, and protesters worried that his right to own firearms may have been impacted by the VA's findings.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/news/local/article_1e1d163e-3ccf-11e5-b198-17ae2e5e310e.html|title=Vet fights for gun rights|last=Ivie|first=Nick|date=August 7, 2015|work=Bonner County Daily Bee|access-date=January 17, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> |
Shea is a founding member and current chairman of the Coalition of Western States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cowstates.com/|title=Home - Coalition of Western States|website=Coalition of Western States|language=en-US|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225211820/http://cowstates.com/|archive-date=February 25, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview, Shea stated that COWS's goals are to "facilitate the transfer of public lands back to the state level, and to have the states and counties manage the land".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radiofreeredoubt.com/2014/04/14/coalition-of-western-states-forms-to-protect-against-federal-overreach/|title=Coalition Of Western States forms to Protect Against Federal Overreach {{!}} Radio Free Redoubt|website=radiofreeredoubt.com|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003063850/https://radiofreeredoubt.com/2014/04/14/coalition-of-western-states-forms-to-protect-against-federal-overreach/|archive-date=October 3, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 2014 [[occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge]], Shea and other COWS members traveled to Burns, Oregon, allegedly attempting to negotiate on behalf of the militants occupying the reserve.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.opb.org/news/series/burns-oregon-standoff-bundy-militia-news-updates/republican-gop-politicians-coalition-western-states/|title=Republican Politicians Planned And Participated In Key Aspects Of Refuge Occupation|last=Sepulvado|first=John|website=www.opb.org|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217185434/http://www.opb.org/news/series/burns-oregon-standoff-bundy-militia-news-updates/republican-gop-politicians-coalition-western-states/|archive-date=February 17, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Shea supported Idaho Representative [[Heather Scott]], a fellow COWS member, in a protest near the home of John Arnold. Arnold had received a letter from the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|Department of Veterans Affairs]] stating the VA had found him mentally incompetent, and protesters worried that his right to own firearms may have been impacted by the VA's findings.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/news/local/article_1e1d163e-3ccf-11e5-b198-17ae2e5e310e.html|title=Vet fights for gun rights|last=Ivie|first=Nick|date=August 7, 2015|work=Bonner County Daily Bee|access-date=January 17, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118052553/http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/news/local/article_1e1d163e-3ccf-11e5-b198-17ae2e5e310e.html|archive-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref> |
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Shea organized the [[Spokane]] chapter of [[ACT! for America]], an anti-Muslim organization designated as a hate group by [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mynorthwest.com/1168964/matt-shea-biblical-war-manifesto/|title=Washington state lawmaker under fire for biblical war 'manifesto'|date=November 2, 2018|publisher=[[KIRO-FM]]}}</ref><ref>Leah Sottile, [https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/matt-shea-washington-state-liberty-744850/ Something's Brewing in the Deep Red West], ''Rolling Stone'' (October 23, 2018).</ref> |
Shea organized the [[Spokane]] chapter of [[ACT! for America]], an anti-Muslim organization designated as a hate group by [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mynorthwest.com/1168964/matt-shea-biblical-war-manifesto/|title=Washington state lawmaker under fire for biblical war 'manifesto'|date=November 2, 2018|publisher=[[KIRO-FM]]|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103131153/http://mynorthwest.com/1168964/matt-shea-biblical-war-manifesto/|archive-date=November 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Leah Sottile, [https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/matt-shea-washington-state-liberty-744850/ Something's Brewing in the Deep Red West] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103092156/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/matt-shea-washington-state-liberty-744850/ |date=November 3, 2018 }}, ''Rolling Stone'' (October 23, 2018).</ref> |
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As a state legislator, Shea introduced House Memorials in 2015 and 2017 to create a new [[State of Liberty]] from Eastern Washington.<ref>{{citation|title=Rep. Matt Shea Wants to Split Washington State in Two|author= |
As a state legislator, Shea introduced House Memorials in 2015 and 2017 to create a new [[State of Liberty]] from Eastern Washington.<ref>{{citation|title=Rep. Matt Shea Wants to Split Washington State in Two|author=Katie Herzog|date=November 9, 2018|newspaper=[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]]|url=https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2018/11/09/35299808/rep-matt-shea-wants-to-split-washington-state-in-two|access-date=January 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918150902/https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2018/11/09/35299808/rep-matt-shea-wants-to-split-washington-state-in-two|archive-date=September 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==Controversies== |
==Controversies== |
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In 2011, as part of the process to replace Washington State Senator Bob McCaslin, background information about Shea included allegations of angry outbursts at Shea's legislative office and that he was disarmed by a commander while he served in Iraq due to anger management issues.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/05/mccaslin-blasts-shea-as-possible-successor-for/|title=McCaslin blasts Shea as possible successor for state Senate seat|last=Craig|first=John|date=February 5, 2011|newspaper=Spokesman.com|access-date=January 17, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite Shea being endorsed by the Executive Board of Spokane County's Republican Party,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spokesman.com/blogs/spincontrol/2011/jan/13/mccaslin-replacement-slowed-call-flash-mob/|title=McCaslin replacement slowed by call for 'flash mob'|last=Camden|first=Jim|date=January 13, 2011|website=The Spokesman-Review|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-22}}</ref> the county commissioners selected businessman Jeff Baxter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/12/spokane-county-commissioners-pick-baxter-for/|title=Spokane County commissioners pick Baxter for state Senate|last=Craig|first=John|date=February 12, 2011|website=The Spokesman-Review|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-22}}</ref> |
In 2011, as part of the process to replace Washington State Senator Bob McCaslin, background information about Shea included allegations of angry outbursts at Shea's legislative office and that he was disarmed by a commander while he served in Iraq due to anger management issues.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/05/mccaslin-blasts-shea-as-possible-successor-for/|title=McCaslin blasts Shea as possible successor for state Senate seat|last=Craig|first=John|date=February 5, 2011|newspaper=Spokesman.com|access-date=January 17, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415042415/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/05/mccaslin-blasts-shea-as-possible-successor-for/|archive-date=April 15, 2017}}</ref> Despite Shea being endorsed by the Executive Board of Spokane County's Republican Party,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spokesman.com/blogs/spincontrol/2011/jan/13/mccaslin-replacement-slowed-call-flash-mob/|title=McCaslin replacement slowed by call for 'flash mob'|last=Camden|first=Jim|date=January 13, 2011|website=The Spokesman-Review|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222001100/https://www.spokesman.com/blogs/spincontrol/2011/jan/13/mccaslin-replacement-slowed-call-flash-mob/|archive-date=December 22, 2019|access-date=2019-12-22}}</ref> the county commissioners selected businessman Jeff Baxter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/12/spokane-county-commissioners-pick-baxter-for/|title=Spokane County commissioners pick Baxter for state Senate|last=Craig|first=John|date=February 12, 2011|website=The Spokesman-Review|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222000917/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/12/spokane-county-commissioners-pick-baxter-for/|archive-date=December 22, 2019|access-date=2019-12-22}}</ref> |
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Differences between Shea and [[Spokane County Sheriff's Office|Spokane County Sheriff]] [[Ozzie Knezovich]] resulted in Shea stating "the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]—and the sheriff (Knezovich) that backs them—is the most dangerous organization in this country". Knezovich is a Republican, like Shea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.inlander.com/spokane/manufacturing-fear/Content?oid=2534837|title=Manufacturing Fear|last=Walters|first=Daniel|date=August 12, 2015|website=Inlander|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> |
Differences between Shea and [[Spokane County Sheriff's Office|Spokane County Sheriff]] [[Ozzie Knezovich]] resulted in Shea stating "the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]—and the sheriff (Knezovich) that backs them—is the most dangerous organization in this country". Knezovich is a Republican, like Shea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.inlander.com/spokane/manufacturing-fear/Content?oid=2534837|title=Manufacturing Fear|last=Walters|first=Daniel|date=August 12, 2015|website=Inlander|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118051810/http://www.inlander.com/spokane/manufacturing-fear/Content?oid=2534837|archive-date=January 18, 2017|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> |
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Shea has often clashed with journalists, referring to reporters as "dirty, godless, hateful people" at an August 2018 gun-rights rally.<ref name="O'Sullivan">{{Cite news|author=Joseph O'Sullivan|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/washington-lawmaker-on-public-records-task-force-calls-journalists-those-dirty-godless-hateful-people/|title=Washington lawmaker on public-records task force calls journalists 'those dirty, godless, hateful people'|date=August 20, 2018|work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> He refers to local newspapers as the "Socialist-Review" (''[[Spokesman-Review]]'') and the "Inslander" (''[[Inlander]]'').<ref name="Inlander">{{cite news |title=After years of controversy, Rep. Matt Shea no longer part of House Republican leadership |url=https://www.inlander.com/spokane/rep-matt-shea-didnt-make-the-cut-for-washington-house-republican-leadership-this-year/Content?oid=15147570 |accessdate=April 20, 2019 |work=Inlander |date=November 29, 2018}}</ref> Shea's contentious history with the press attracted attention because he was, as of August 2018, one of eight state legislators on a [[Washington Legislature]] task force dealing with state public records laws and exemptions to them.<ref name="O'Sullivan"/> |
Shea has often clashed with journalists, referring to reporters as "dirty, godless, hateful people" at an August 2018 gun-rights rally.<ref name="O'Sullivan">{{Cite news|author=Joseph O'Sullivan|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/washington-lawmaker-on-public-records-task-force-calls-journalists-those-dirty-godless-hateful-people/|title=Washington lawmaker on public-records task force calls journalists 'those dirty, godless, hateful people'|date=August 20, 2018|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821121510/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/washington-lawmaker-on-public-records-task-force-calls-journalists-those-dirty-godless-hateful-people/|archive-date=August 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He refers to local newspapers as the "Socialist-Review" (''[[Spokesman-Review]]'') and the "Inslander" (''[[Inlander]]'').<ref name="Inlander">{{cite news |title=After years of controversy, Rep. Matt Shea no longer part of House Republican leadership |url=https://www.inlander.com/spokane/rep-matt-shea-didnt-make-the-cut-for-washington-house-republican-leadership-this-year/Content?oid=15147570 |accessdate=April 20, 2019 |work=Inlander |date=November 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130123613/https://www.inlander.com/spokane/rep-matt-shea-didnt-make-the-cut-for-washington-house-republican-leadership-this-year/Content?oid=15147570 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shea's contentious history with the press attracted attention because he was, as of August 2018, one of eight state legislators on a [[Washington Legislature]] task force dealing with state public records laws and exemptions to them.<ref name="O'Sullivan"/> |
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==="Biblical Basis for War" manifesto=== |
==="Biblical Basis for War" manifesto=== |
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In late October 2018, Shea acknowledged that he had distributed a document described as a "four-page manifesto" titled ''Biblical Basis for War'' that listed strategies that a "Holy Army" could employ. |
In late October 2018, Shea acknowledged that he had distributed a document described as a "four-page manifesto" titled ''Biblical Basis for War'' that listed strategies that a "Holy Army" could employ. |
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The document, consisting of 14 sections divided into bullet points, had a section on "rules of war" that stated "make an offer of peace before declaring war", which within stated that the enemy must "surrender on terms" of no abortions, no same-sex marriage, no communism and "must obey Biblical law", then continued: "If they do not yield — kill all males". Shea acknowledged the document and claimed that it was a summary of "biblical sermons on war."<ref name="FBIscrutiny"/><ref name="Seattle Times Manifesto"/><ref name=HillAll>{{cite web |last1=Bowden |first1=John |title=FBI investigating Washington state rep. for manifesto urging ‘all males' will be killed |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/414450-fbi-investigating-washington-state-rep-for-manifesto-urging-all-males |publisher=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |accessdate=April 23, 2019}}</ref> The Spokesman-Review reported: "After the document was leaked online Tuesday [10/23/18], the Spokane Valley Republican insisted he was not promoting violence and that the message had been taken out of context. 'First of all, it was a summary of a series of sermons on biblical war in the Old Testament as part of a larger discussion on the history of warfare.' Shea said in a Facebook Live video on Wednesday. 'This document, in and of itself, was not a secret. I’ve actually talked about portions of this document publicly.'"<ref> |
The document, consisting of 14 sections divided into bullet points, had a section on "rules of war" that stated "make an offer of peace before declaring war", which within stated that the enemy must "surrender on terms" of no abortions, no same-sex marriage, no communism and "must obey Biblical law", then continued: "If they do not yield — kill all males". Shea acknowledged the document and claimed that it was a summary of "biblical sermons on war."<ref name="FBIscrutiny"/><ref name="Seattle Times Manifesto"/><ref name=HillAll>{{cite web |last1=Bowden |first1=John |title=FBI investigating Washington state rep. for manifesto urging ‘all males' will be killed |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/414450-fbi-investigating-washington-state-rep-for-manifesto-urging-all-males |publisher=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |accessdate=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423065949/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/414450-fbi-investigating-washington-state-rep-for-manifesto-urging-all-males |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Spokesman-Review reported: "After the document was leaked online Tuesday [10/23/18], the Spokane Valley Republican insisted he was not promoting violence and that the message had been taken out of context. 'First of all, it was a summary of a series of sermons on biblical war in the Old Testament as part of a larger discussion on the history of warfare.' Shea said in a Facebook Live video on Wednesday. 'This document, in and of itself, was not a secret. I’ve actually talked about portions of this document publicly.'"<ref>Chad Sokol, https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/oct/26/rep-matt-shea-takes-credit-criticism-for-document-/''The {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112032103/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/oct/26/rep-matt-shea-takes-credit-criticism-for-document-/ |date=November 12, 2019 }} Spokesman-Review'' (October 31, 2018).</ref> Spokane County Sheriff Knezovich alerted the FBI to the manifesto and said that the statements made in the manifesto are consistent with a racist, anti-Semitic, and white supremacist ideology known as [[Christian Identity]], which seeks to establish a "white homeland" in the US northwest.<ref name="Seattle Times Manifesto"/><ref name="DistributedPaper"/> |
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===Violent right-wing chat group === |
===Violent right-wing chat group === |
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In April 2019, ''[[The Guardian]]'' published records from a right-wing chat group of four people that Shea participated in, where Shea used an alias of ‘True Warrior’ in Latin. Other members in the chat group discussed carrying out surveillance, intimidation and violent attacks on political enemies, including [[Antifa (United States)|Antifa]] activists and "communists". Shea himself volunteered to conduct background checks on residents of Spokane, resulting in Shea naming three individuals. One of the chat group's members forwarded the information to ''The Guardian'', while another confirmed the existence of the chats and acknowledged the discussion on conducting surveillance on "Antifa" people.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jason |date=April 20, 2019 |title=Republican discussed violent attacks and surveillance with rightwingers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/20/matt-shea-rightwing-messages-chat-records |work=[[The Guardian]] |accessdate=April 20, 2019}}</ref> ''The Guardian'' published a second set of emails in August that tied Shea to an organization called Team Rugged, which aimed to train young men for "biblical warfare".<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jason |date=August 14, 2019 |title=Revealed: Republican lawmaker aided group training young men for 'biblical warfare' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/13/matt-shea-biblical-war-washington-team-rugged |work=The Guardian |accessdate=August 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sokol |first=Chad |date=August 15, 2019 |title=Rep. Matt Shea endorsed training children to fight in holy war |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/aug/14/rep-matt-shea-endorsed-training-child-soldiers-for/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |accessdate=August 16, 2019}}</ref> |
In April 2019, ''[[The Guardian]]'' published records from a right-wing chat group of four people that Shea participated in, where Shea used an alias of ‘True Warrior’ in Latin. Other members in the chat group discussed carrying out surveillance, intimidation and violent attacks on political enemies, including [[Antifa (United States)|Antifa]] activists and "communists". Shea himself volunteered to conduct background checks on residents of Spokane, resulting in Shea naming three individuals. One of the chat group's members forwarded the information to ''The Guardian'', while another confirmed the existence of the chats and acknowledged the discussion on conducting surveillance on "Antifa" people.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jason |date=April 20, 2019 |title=Republican discussed violent attacks and surveillance with rightwingers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/20/matt-shea-rightwing-messages-chat-records |work=[[The Guardian]] |accessdate=April 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420065556/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/20/matt-shea-rightwing-messages-chat-records |archive-date=April 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Guardian'' published a second set of emails in August that tied Shea to an organization called Team Rugged, which aimed to train young men for "biblical warfare".<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jason |date=August 14, 2019 |title=Revealed: Republican lawmaker aided group training young men for 'biblical warfare' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/13/matt-shea-biblical-war-washington-team-rugged |work=The Guardian |accessdate=August 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815171206/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/13/matt-shea-biblical-war-washington-team-rugged |archive-date=August 15, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sokol |first=Chad |date=August 15, 2019 |title=Rep. Matt Shea endorsed training children to fight in holy war |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/aug/14/rep-matt-shea-endorsed-training-child-soldiers-for/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |accessdate=August 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815193653/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/aug/14/rep-matt-shea-endorsed-training-child-soldiers-for/ |archive-date=August 15, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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=== Political violence === |
=== Political violence === |
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An investigation commissioned by Washington House of Representatives reported, on December 1, 2019, that Shea had planned and participated in domestic terrorism on at least three occasions. This included his participation, planning, and promotion of the 2014 [[Bundy standoff]] in Nevada, the 2015 armed conflict in Priest River, Idaho, and the 2016 armed [[occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge]].<ref name=":0" /> On December 19, Shea was stripped of committees and suspended from having any role in the House Republican caucus. House Republican leader [[J.T. Wilcox]] called on him to resign.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/washington-state-rep-matt-shea-engaged-in-domestic-terrorism-against-the-u-s-says-state-house-inquiry/|title=Washington Rep. Matt Shea engaged in domestic terrorism against U.S., says state House report|last1=Gutman|last2=O'Sullivan|first1=David|first2=Joseph|date=December 19, 2019|work=Seattle Times|access-date=December 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Luck |first1=Melissa |title=Rep. Matt Shea removed from caucus, report sent to FBI and U.S. Attorney |url=https://www.kxly.com/news/rep-matt-shea-removed-from-caucus-report-sent-to-fbi-and-us-attorney/1152912144 |accessdate=December 20, 2019 |publisher=KXLY |date=December 19, 2019}}</ref> |
An investigation commissioned by Washington House of Representatives reported, on December 1, 2019, that Shea had planned and participated in domestic terrorism on at least three occasions. This included his participation, planning, and promotion of the 2014 [[Bundy standoff]] in Nevada, the 2015 armed conflict in Priest River, Idaho, and the 2016 armed [[occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge]].<ref name=":0" /> On December 19, Shea was stripped of committees and suspended from having any role in the House Republican caucus. House Republican leader [[J.T. Wilcox]] called on him to resign.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/washington-state-rep-matt-shea-engaged-in-domestic-terrorism-against-the-u-s-says-state-house-inquiry/|title=Washington Rep. Matt Shea engaged in domestic terrorism against U.S., says state House report|last1=Gutman|last2=O'Sullivan|first1=David|first2=Joseph|date=December 19, 2019|work=Seattle Times|access-date=December 19, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219234002/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/washington-state-rep-matt-shea-engaged-in-domestic-terrorism-against-the-u-s-says-state-house-inquiry/|archive-date=December 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Luck |first1=Melissa |title=Rep. Matt Shea removed from caucus, report sent to FBI and U.S. Attorney |url=https://www.kxly.com/news/rep-matt-shea-removed-from-caucus-report-sent-to-fbi-and-us-attorney/1152912144 |accessdate=December 20, 2019 |publisher=KXLY |date=December 19, 2019}}</ref> |
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House leadership forwarded the report to the [[United States Attorney's Office|United States Attorney]] for the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington|Eastern District of Washington]] and the [[FBI]].<ref name=":2" /> Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich stated that he believed there was enough evidence "to charge Shea with domestic terrorism, if not treason."<ref name="Buck">{{cite news |last1=Buck |first1=Colette |title=Sheriff Knezovich: "I believe there's enough evidence to charge Rep. Shea with domestic terrorism' |url=https://www.khq.com/news/sheriff-knezovich-i-believe-there-s-enough-evidence-to-charge/article_f1d01462-22bd-11ea-97a2-af4048c7056e.html |accessdate=December 20, 2019 |publisher=KHQ |date=December 19, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The sheriff also stated that he was worried that arresting Shea would lead to an armed standoff, and that he had contacted the FBI regarding this concern.<ref name="Buck"/> |
House leadership forwarded the report to the [[United States Attorney's Office|United States Attorney]] for the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington|Eastern District of Washington]] and the [[FBI]].<ref name=":2" /> Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich stated that he believed there was enough evidence "to charge Shea with domestic terrorism, if not treason."<ref name="Buck">{{cite news |last1=Buck |first1=Colette |title=Sheriff Knezovich: "I believe there's enough evidence to charge Rep. Shea with domestic terrorism' |url=https://www.khq.com/news/sheriff-knezovich-i-believe-there-s-enough-evidence-to-charge/article_f1d01462-22bd-11ea-97a2-af4048c7056e.html |accessdate=December 20, 2019 |publisher=KHQ |date=December 19, 2019 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220172446/https://www.khq.com/news/sheriff-knezovich-i-believe-there-s-enough-evidence-to-charge/article_f1d01462-22bd-11ea-97a2-af4048c7056e.html |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The sheriff also stated that he was worried that arresting Shea would lead to an armed standoff, and that he had contacted the FBI regarding this concern.<ref name="Buck"/> |
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On December 19, Shea issued a statement to local news station [[KREM (TV)|KREM]] saying he had "been denied any opportunity to review and respond to its results which are still unknown to me."<ref name="Riordan">{{cite news |last1=Riordan |first1=Kaitlin |last2=Smay |first2=Ian |last3=Decker |first3=Casey |title='I will not back down': Rep. Matt Shea, accused of 'domestic terrorism,' refuses to resign |url=https://www.krem.com/article/news/politics/matt-shea-investigation-says-he-engaged-in-domestic-terrorism/293-82a8700c-b5e0-44bb-a752-a43c682ace16 |accessdate=December 20, 2019 |work=[[KREM (TV)|KREM 2 News]] |date=December 19, 2019}}</ref> That day, he wrote in a Facebook post: "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."<ref name="Riordan"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shepherd |first1=Katie |title=A GOP state legislator helped plan an armed occupation in Oregon, investigators say, calling it ‘domestic terrorism’ |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/12/20/gop-legislator-matt-shea-coordinated-anti-government-land-occupation-oregon/ |accessdate=December 20, 2019 |work=The Washington Post |date=December 20, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> |
On December 19, Shea issued a statement to local news station [[KREM (TV)|KREM]] saying he had "been denied any opportunity to review and respond to its results which are still unknown to me."<ref name="Riordan">{{cite news |last1=Riordan |first1=Kaitlin |last2=Smay |first2=Ian |last3=Decker |first3=Casey |title='I will not back down': Rep. Matt Shea, accused of 'domestic terrorism,' refuses to resign |url=https://www.krem.com/article/news/politics/matt-shea-investigation-says-he-engaged-in-domestic-terrorism/293-82a8700c-b5e0-44bb-a752-a43c682ace16 |accessdate=December 20, 2019 |work=[[KREM (TV)|KREM 2 News]] |date=December 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220040638/https://www.krem.com/article/news/politics/matt-shea-investigation-says-he-engaged-in-domestic-terrorism/293-82a8700c-b5e0-44bb-a752-a43c682ace16 |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> That day, he wrote in a Facebook post: "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."<ref name="Riordan"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shepherd |first1=Katie |title=A GOP state legislator helped plan an armed occupation in Oregon, investigators say, calling it ‘domestic terrorism’ |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/12/20/gop-legislator-matt-shea-coordinated-anti-government-land-occupation-oregon/ |accessdate=December 20, 2019 |work=The Washington Post |date=December 20, 2019 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220150843/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/12/20/gop-legislator-matt-shea-coordinated-anti-government-land-occupation-oregon/ |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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== Personal life == |
== Personal life == |
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Shea was divorced from his first wife, Lisa, in January 2008.<ref name="Craig"/> She was granted a protective order by a court after filing court documents complaining that Shea treated her "as a possession," and was physically and emotionally abusive. Lisa's brother-in-law testified in court documents that he saw Matt grabbing Lisa "very hard and violently" and pushed her into a vehicle. She attested that Matt "insisted she walk on his left side because his sword, if he had one, would be on his right side," forbade her from writing a church bulletin, and protested that he would not seek profitable employment despite being a lawyer.<ref name="Craig"/> Shea denied any physical abuse, called his ex-wife a "product of the foster care system", and said it this was her third divorce.<ref name="Craig"/> Shea subsequently remarried.<ref name=Center/> |
Shea was divorced from his first wife, Lisa, in January 2008.<ref name="Craig"/> She was granted a protective order by a court after filing court documents complaining that Shea treated her "as a possession," and was physically and emotionally abusive. Lisa's brother-in-law testified in court documents that he saw Matt grabbing Lisa "very hard and violently" and pushed her into a vehicle. She attested that Matt "insisted she walk on his left side because his sword, if he had one, would be on his right side," forbade her from writing a church bulletin, and protested that he would not seek profitable employment despite being a lawyer.<ref name="Craig"/> Shea denied any physical abuse, called his ex-wife a "product of the foster care system", and said it this was her third divorce.<ref name="Craig"/> Shea subsequently remarried.<ref name=Center/> |
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In November 2011, Shea allegedly "pulled a gun during a confrontation with another motorist" in what police reports described as an incident of [[road rage]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jul/22/legislator-pulled-gun-during-road-incident/|title=Legislator pulled gun during road incident|last=Camden|first=Jim|date=July 22, 2012|newspaper=Spokesman.com|access-date=January 17, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Shea was initially charged with possessing a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a [[Concealed carry in the United States|concealed weapons permit]]; the charge was ultimately resolved under a "stipulated order of continuance," in which "Shea paid a $75 fee and agreed that the information in the police report is correct" and the charge was dismissed after the passage of one year with no criminal violations.<ref name=":1" /> |
In November 2011, Shea allegedly "pulled a gun during a confrontation with another motorist" in what police reports described as an incident of [[road rage]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jul/22/legislator-pulled-gun-during-road-incident/|title=Legislator pulled gun during road incident|last=Camden|first=Jim|date=July 22, 2012|newspaper=Spokesman.com|access-date=January 17, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429134350/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jul/22/legislator-pulled-gun-during-road-incident/|archive-date=April 29, 2017}}</ref> Shea was initially charged with possessing a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a [[Concealed carry in the United States|concealed weapons permit]]; the charge was ultimately resolved under a "stipulated order of continuance," in which "Shea paid a $75 fee and agreed that the information in the police report is correct" and the charge was dismissed after the passage of one year with no criminal violations.<ref name=":1" /> |
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==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 16:40, 22 December 2019
Matt Shea | |
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![]() | |
Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 4th legislative district | |
Assumed office January 12, 2009 | |
Preceded by | Lynn Schindler |
Personal details | |
Born | Matthew Thomas Shea April 18, 1974 Spokane, Washington, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Lisa Shea (2002–2008) Viktoriya Shea (2008–present) |
Residence | Spokane Valley, Washington |
Alma mater | Gonzaga University (B.A., JD) |
Profession | Lawyer |
Website | Official |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() ![]() |
Years of service | 1996–2000 2001–2006 |
Rank | ![]() |
Battles/wars | Bosnian War Iraq War |
Matthew Thomas Shea (born April 18, 1974) is an American politician and attorney. A Republican, he serves in the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 4th Legislative District.
In October 2018, Shea acknowledged that he had distributed a four page manifesto which called for the killing of non-Christian males if a war were to occur and they do not agree to follow fundamentalist biblical law.[1][2] Shea was referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for investigation as a result.[3] In April 2019, Shea was removed as State House Republican Caucus Chair for advocating violence against religious minorities and offering state surveillance of political enemies to members of hate groups.[4] An investigative report commissioned by the House, issued on December 1, 2019, found that Shea "participated in an act of domestic terrorism against the United States", having organized and supported "three armed conflicts of political violence."[5] Immediately after the report was issued, he was removed from the House Republican Caucus.[6]
Early life and education
Shea graduated from high school in Bellingham, Washington. He received a bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University in 1996 and a law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2006.[7]
Military career
In 1996, Shea entered the U.S. Army as a second Lieutenant. He was deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, and Kuwait, and left the Army in 2006 with the rank of Captain.
Political career
Shea was first elected to office in 2008.[8] He was re-elected in 2012, 2014, and 2016.[9][10][11]
Shea hosts Patriot Radio, a twice-weekly show broadcast on the American Christian Network.[12]
Shea was a co-founder and director of the Washington Family Foundation, a socially conservative advocacy group.[13] He was also a board member of the anti-same-sex marriage group Protect Marriage Washington, and during his first time in office introduced legislation seeking to block the recognition of same-sex marriage in Washington.[14]
Shea is a founding member and current chairman of the Coalition of Western States.[15] In an interview, Shea stated that COWS's goals are to "facilitate the transfer of public lands back to the state level, and to have the states and counties manage the land".[16] During the 2014 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Shea and other COWS members traveled to Burns, Oregon, allegedly attempting to negotiate on behalf of the militants occupying the reserve.[17] In 2015, Shea supported Idaho Representative Heather Scott, a fellow COWS member, in a protest near the home of John Arnold. Arnold had received a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs stating the VA had found him mentally incompetent, and protesters worried that his right to own firearms may have been impacted by the VA's findings.[18]
Shea organized the Spokane chapter of ACT! for America, an anti-Muslim organization designated as a hate group by Southern Poverty Law Center.[19][20]
As a state legislator, Shea introduced House Memorials in 2015 and 2017 to create a new State of Liberty from Eastern Washington.[21]
Controversies
In 2011, as part of the process to replace Washington State Senator Bob McCaslin, background information about Shea included allegations of angry outbursts at Shea's legislative office and that he was disarmed by a commander while he served in Iraq due to anger management issues.[22] Despite Shea being endorsed by the Executive Board of Spokane County's Republican Party,[23] the county commissioners selected businessman Jeff Baxter.[24]
Differences between Shea and Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich resulted in Shea stating "the Southern Poverty Law Center—and the sheriff (Knezovich) that backs them—is the most dangerous organization in this country". Knezovich is a Republican, like Shea.[25]
Shea has often clashed with journalists, referring to reporters as "dirty, godless, hateful people" at an August 2018 gun-rights rally.[26] He refers to local newspapers as the "Socialist-Review" (Spokesman-Review) and the "Inslander" (Inlander).[27] Shea's contentious history with the press attracted attention because he was, as of August 2018, one of eight state legislators on a Washington Legislature task force dealing with state public records laws and exemptions to them.[26]
"Biblical Basis for War" manifesto
In late October 2018, Shea acknowledged that he had distributed a document described as a "four-page manifesto" titled Biblical Basis for War that listed strategies that a "Holy Army" could employ.
The document, consisting of 14 sections divided into bullet points, had a section on "rules of war" that stated "make an offer of peace before declaring war", which within stated that the enemy must "surrender on terms" of no abortions, no same-sex marriage, no communism and "must obey Biblical law", then continued: "If they do not yield — kill all males". Shea acknowledged the document and claimed that it was a summary of "biblical sermons on war."[1][2][28] The Spokesman-Review reported: "After the document was leaked online Tuesday [10/23/18], the Spokane Valley Republican insisted he was not promoting violence and that the message had been taken out of context. 'First of all, it was a summary of a series of sermons on biblical war in the Old Testament as part of a larger discussion on the history of warfare.' Shea said in a Facebook Live video on Wednesday. 'This document, in and of itself, was not a secret. I’ve actually talked about portions of this document publicly.'"[29] Spokane County Sheriff Knezovich alerted the FBI to the manifesto and said that the statements made in the manifesto are consistent with a racist, anti-Semitic, and white supremacist ideology known as Christian Identity, which seeks to establish a "white homeland" in the US northwest.[2][3]
Violent right-wing chat group
In April 2019, The Guardian published records from a right-wing chat group of four people that Shea participated in, where Shea used an alias of ‘True Warrior’ in Latin. Other members in the chat group discussed carrying out surveillance, intimidation and violent attacks on political enemies, including Antifa activists and "communists". Shea himself volunteered to conduct background checks on residents of Spokane, resulting in Shea naming three individuals. One of the chat group's members forwarded the information to The Guardian, while another confirmed the existence of the chats and acknowledged the discussion on conducting surveillance on "Antifa" people.[30] The Guardian published a second set of emails in August that tied Shea to an organization called Team Rugged, which aimed to train young men for "biblical warfare".[31][32]
Political violence
An investigation commissioned by Washington House of Representatives reported, on December 1, 2019, that Shea had planned and participated in domestic terrorism on at least three occasions. This included his participation, planning, and promotion of the 2014 Bundy standoff in Nevada, the 2015 armed conflict in Priest River, Idaho, and the 2016 armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.[5] On December 19, Shea was stripped of committees and suspended from having any role in the House Republican caucus. House Republican leader J.T. Wilcox called on him to resign.[6][33]
House leadership forwarded the report to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington and the FBI.[6] Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich stated that he believed there was enough evidence "to charge Shea with domestic terrorism, if not treason."[34] The sheriff also stated that he was worried that arresting Shea would lead to an armed standoff, and that he had contacted the FBI regarding this concern.[34]
On December 19, Shea issued a statement to local news station KREM saying he had "been denied any opportunity to review and respond to its results which are still unknown to me."[35] That day, he wrote in a Facebook post: "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."[35][36]
Personal life
Shea was divorced from his first wife, Lisa, in January 2008.[13] She was granted a protective order by a court after filing court documents complaining that Shea treated her "as a possession," and was physically and emotionally abusive. Lisa's brother-in-law testified in court documents that he saw Matt grabbing Lisa "very hard and violently" and pushed her into a vehicle. She attested that Matt "insisted she walk on his left side because his sword, if he had one, would be on his right side," forbade her from writing a church bulletin, and protested that he would not seek profitable employment despite being a lawyer.[13] Shea denied any physical abuse, called his ex-wife a "product of the foster care system", and said it this was her third divorce.[13] Shea subsequently remarried.[7]
In November 2011, Shea allegedly "pulled a gun during a confrontation with another motorist" in what police reports described as an incident of road rage.[37] Shea was initially charged with possessing a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a concealed weapons permit; the charge was ultimately resolved under a "stipulated order of continuance," in which "Shea paid a $75 fee and agreed that the information in the police report is correct" and the charge was dismissed after the passage of one year with no criminal violations.[37]
References
- ^ a b "Washington State Lawmaker's 'Holy Army' Manifesto Prompts FBI Scrutiny". The Daily Beast. November 1, 2018. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c Sokol, Chad (November 2, 2018). "Washington state lawmaker Matt Shea defends advocacy for 'Holy Army' as Spokane sheriff refers his writings to FBI". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
- ^ a b "Lawmaker Says He Distributed 'Biblical Basis for War' Paper". U.S. News & World Report. AP. November 1, 2018. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b Loedler, Kathy; Loedler, Paul (December 1, 2019). "Report of Investigation Regarding Representative Matt Shea". Washington State House of Representatives. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ a b c Gutman, David; O'Sullivan, Joseph (December 19, 2019). "Washington Rep. Matt Shea engaged in domestic terrorism against U.S., says state House report". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ a b Election Center: Matt Shea Archived November 3, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Spokesman-Review.
- ^ "2009 Cappys honor legislators and unforgettable moments | HeraldNet.com". HeraldNet.com. April 25, 2009. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
- ^ "November 8, 2016 General Election Results - Legislative District 4 - State Representative Pos. 1 County Breakdown". results.vote.wa.gov. Archived from the original on December 24, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ "Spokane County November 4, 2014 General Election". results.vote.wa.gov. Archived from the original on July 24, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ "Legislative District 04". results.vote.wa.gov. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ "American Christian Network". www.acn.cc. Archived from the original on January 1, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ a b c d John Craig (July 31, 2008). Divorced candidate promotes family values Archived May 14, 2018, at the Wayback Machine. Spokesman-Review
- ^ Dominic Holden, Know Thy Enemy: Meet the Four Men Most Obsessed with Stopping Gay Marriage in Washington State Archived September 24, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, The Stranger (June 4, 2009).
- ^ "Home - Coalition of Western States". Coalition of Western States. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ "Coalition Of Western States forms to Protect Against Federal Overreach | Radio Free Redoubt". radiofreeredoubt.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ Sepulvado, John. "Republican Politicians Planned And Participated In Key Aspects Of Refuge Occupation". www.opb.org. Archived from the original on February 17, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ Ivie, Nick (August 7, 2015). "Vet fights for gun rights". Bonner County Daily Bee. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ "Washington state lawmaker under fire for biblical war 'manifesto'". KIRO-FM. November 2, 2018. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
- ^ Leah Sottile, Something's Brewing in the Deep Red West Archived November 3, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Rolling Stone (October 23, 2018).
- ^ Katie Herzog (November 9, 2018), "Rep. Matt Shea Wants to Split Washington State in Two", The Stranger, archived from the original on September 18, 2019, retrieved January 26, 2019
- ^ Craig, John (February 5, 2011). "McCaslin blasts Shea as possible successor for state Senate seat". Spokesman.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ Camden, Jim (January 13, 2011). "McCaslin replacement slowed by call for 'flash mob'". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on December 22, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
- ^ Craig, John (February 12, 2011). "Spokane County commissioners pick Baxter for state Senate". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on December 22, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
- ^ Walters, Daniel (August 12, 2015). "Manufacturing Fear". Inlander. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ a b Joseph O'Sullivan (August 20, 2018). "Washington lawmaker on public-records task force calls journalists 'those dirty, godless, hateful people'". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ "After years of controversy, Rep. Matt Shea no longer part of House Republican leadership". Inlander. November 29, 2018. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
- ^ Bowden, John. "FBI investigating Washington state rep. for manifesto urging 'all males' will be killed". The Hill. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- ^ Chad Sokol, https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/oct/26/rep-matt-shea-takes-credit-criticism-for-document-/The Archived November 12, 2019, at the Wayback Machine Spokesman-Review (October 31, 2018).
- ^ Wilson, Jason (April 20, 2019). "Republican discussed violent attacks and surveillance with rightwingers". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
- ^ Wilson, Jason (August 14, 2019). "Revealed: Republican lawmaker aided group training young men for 'biblical warfare'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- ^ Sokol, Chad (August 15, 2019). "Rep. Matt Shea endorsed training children to fight in holy war". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- ^ Luck, Melissa (December 19, 2019). "Rep. Matt Shea removed from caucus, report sent to FBI and U.S. Attorney". KXLY. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ a b Buck, Colette (December 19, 2019). "Sheriff Knezovich: "I believe there's enough evidence to charge Rep. Shea with domestic terrorism'". KHQ. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ a b Riordan, Kaitlin; Smay, Ian; Decker, Casey (December 19, 2019). "'I will not back down': Rep. Matt Shea, accused of 'domestic terrorism,' refuses to resign". KREM 2 News. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ Shepherd, Katie (December 20, 2019). "A GOP state legislator helped plan an armed occupation in Oregon, investigators say, calling it 'domestic terrorism'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ a b Camden, Jim (July 22, 2012). "Legislator pulled gun during road incident". Spokesman.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- 1974 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American politicians
- Alt-right politicians in the United States
- Christian Identity
- Washington (state) Republicans
- Members of the Washington House of Representatives
- Politicians from Spokane, Washington
- Military personnel from Spokane, Washington
- People from Spokane Valley, Washington
- Gonzaga University alumni
- Gonzaga University School of Law alumni
- Lawyers from Spokane, Washington