Griffin denied request for release

Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin will remain in federal prison without bail. U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui on Monday denied a request for his release, citing past actions and statements as “troubling” and noting his participation in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

“Why was the defendant there at that date and time? By his own words ‘to stop Chinese theft of the election.’ I’m not sure what that means,” Faruqui said.

Faruqui said Griffin’s intent in returning to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration of President Joe Biden was because a “job was left undone.”

“To me the only reason he did not return was because the National Guard was invoked,” Faruqui said. “The reason why there was no Second Amendment rally was because Washington, D.C. was literally closed ... The metro was shut down. This was a war zone. The fortification by the National Guard and by the federal government precluded such event from happening.”

Griffin was arrested on Jan. 17 on charges of knowingly entering Capitol grounds without lawful authority.

Faruqui said Griffin was indeed part of the “mob” that stormed the Capitol, an event that resulted in five deaths and several injuries as well as damage to the building.

“He was a part of a concerted effort. He took a bullhorn, granted it was to lead in prayer, which there’s nothing wrong with that. However where you’re in a mob and you are a part of that mob and you get a bullhorn, it’s hard to say you are not part of what’s going on.”

Since his arrest Griffin has been held in isolation, refusing to be tested for COVID-19, court documents state.

Griffin had also refused to speak with his legal counsel David B. Smith or Faruqui before Jan. 29, court records state.

Faruqui set Monday as a preliminary hearing for Griffin.