A Washington state lawmaker took part in "domestic terrorism" against the United States during a 2016 standoff at a wildlife refuge in Oregon and traveled throughout the West meeting with far-right extremist groups, according to an investigative report released Thursday. Crosscut legislative reporter Melissa Santos has been following this story. She talks with KNKX All Things Considered host Ed Ronco.
The report prepared for the state Legislature said Rep. Matt Shea, a Republican from Spokane Valley in eastern Washington, also found he trained young people to fight a "holy war," condoned intimidating opponents and promoted militia training by the Patriot Movement for possible armed conflict with law enforcement. Prior to the release of the report Shea was defiant, saying he would fight for "our shared values."
The Associated Press contributed to this written report.