#ConstitutionalSheriffs #ElectionInterference
Meet the Far-Right Constitutional Sheriffs Ready to Assert Control if Trump Loses
There are hundreds of Constitutional Sheriffs around the country who believe they are the ultimate legal power in their county. We break down how they have coalesced with the election denial movement.
https://www.wired.com/story/constitutional-sheriffs-election-denial/
#ConstitutionalSheriffs #ElectionInterference
Joe Arpaio was known as the "Toughest Sheriff in America" and ruled for 24 years in Maricopa County, AZ.
Constitutional Sheriffs believe they are the top of the food chain- they believe in "protecting" the people in their area and "following" the Constitution (their interpretation of what it says)
With the latest payout, former Sheriff Joe Arpaio has cost Arizona taxpayers $100M
#ConstitutionalSheriffs #ElectionInterference
Constitutional sheriffs wield unchecked power across America, journalist says
Jessica Pishko says a group of sheriffs have become a flashpoint in the current politics of toxic masculinity, guns, white supremacy and rural resentment. Her book is The Highest Law in the Land.
#ConstitutionalSheriffs #ElectionInterference
‘Take Back the States’: The Far-Right Sheriffs Ready to Disrupt the Election
Constitutional Sheriffs are duly elected lawmen who believe they answer only to God. They’ve spent the last six months preparing to stop a “stolen” election—by any means necessary.
https://www.wired.com/story/constitutional-sheriffs-disrupt-election/
@QueenOfEverything: They want pre-Civil-War America back.
@QueenOfEverything: The large egos were always the case, as was the xenophobia, corruption, and anti-federal and often anti-their-own-state beliefs. It was also quite often familial, as in local "royal families", as it were. I did research work for law school profs into the pre-Civil-War violence in Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania on the topic, and the thrust of their work was the straight line to what became known as "constitutional sheriffs" and the alt-white.
@QueenOfEverything: For my money, it's a "potato/potato" issue. They're identical, essentially, same as the old Aryan Brotherhood and the other WS gangs. Different jerseys, same everything else.
I agree... the "local royal families" is a recurring theme. What I don't understand, is how they continue to get away with this. During COVID, in Texas, they were rounding up "migrants" and bussing them out of state. But would not enforce masks, safe distancing or vaccinations. Abbott was finally forced to shut down Texas for a short time period... but even then- the churches, gun stores & liquor stores could remain open.
Texas is the perfect home for these sheriffs because the governor thinks he's king.
But when I moved to Washington- a blue state- these sheriffs were defying Gov Inslee on enforcing COVID safety in the state... and they kept their jobs.
No sheriff is above the law of the state & country. Because they are elected... they're getting away with it.
@QueenOfEverything @thedisasterautist
The last season of Fargo dealt with this crap...
All of them... A$$holes...
@InvaderGzim @thedisasterautist
Jessica Pishko spent 6 years researching her book on #ConstitutionalSheriffs
This was a good interview.
"You conclude that the offices of the sheriff should not exist. Do you have any ideas about actionable ways to make that a reality?
"The first thing I would say is to separate the management of jail facilities from policing. If you disconnect jail management from policing, I think that that would erode the power of the office.
https://capitalandmain.com/when-sheriffs-say-their-rule-is-law
@InvaderGzim @thedisasterautist
Taking away the power of Sheriffs
"Jails should not exist, period. But also jails should not be managed by law enforcement officers, who use it to train deputies to understand the “criminal element.” I think that people would quickly start to see that they didn’t need this. If you remove the jail function, I think people would start to see that maybe the sheriff is not as necessary"
@thedisasterautist
Some do... but overall, they have large egos and believe they are "the law of the the land" because they're the only ones who can interpret The Constitution .
And because it's macho cool.
This Salon article talks with author about the origin of Constitutional Sheriffs.
Who created the "constitutional sheriff" myth? Hint: It's not in the Constitution
Author Jessica Pishko on how two Arizona sheriffs created an entire mythology — and a dangerous movement