When WIRED requested Mack what number of sheriffs had been at present members of the CSPOA, he mentioned 300 sheriffs might be described as “actually stable.” He wouldn’t reveal what number of paying members the group has.
Whereas Mack and the CSPOA are probably the most distinguished a part of the Constitutional Sheriff motion, there are numerous different sheriffs who espouse the identical beliefs. A 2022 survey performed by the Marshall Venture discovered that near 50 p.c of the sheriffs polled agreed with the constitutional sheriff mantra that “their very own authority, inside their counties, supersedes that of the state or federal authorities.”
Many sheriffs have additionally shied away from publicly aligning themselves with Mack, one thing the previous sheriff readily admits. And but Trumpworld, the election denial motion, and a number of the most distinguished far-right influencers at the moment are searching for to group up with the sheriffs to affect the result of the US election.
In September, election denial group True the Vote advised its followers that it was working with sheriffs to watch drop bins. Whereas Mack advised WIRED he hasn’t spoken to True the Vote about this particular plan, he has confirmed that the CSPOA continues to be actively working with True the Vote, although he declined to say in what capability. Bushman additionally wouldn’t give particulars of their collaboration, however mentioned: “It is extra than simply supporting what they’re doing.”
In a number of conversations with Mack over the past six months, he repeatedly asserted that the CSPOA advocates just for nonviolent motion in efforts to fight the alleged (and unproven) widespread voter fraud that’s now the group’s driving pressure.
However Mack additionally maintains deep ties to Stewart Rhodes and the Oath Keepers and is publicly assembly with figures like Raiklin, who in August additionally posted an ominous menace on X referencing the latest assassination try towards Trump: “In a duel, both sides will get one shot. They missed 36 days in the past. Now it is [our] flip.”
Earlier this month, the FBI and Division of Homeland Safety warned that “election-related grievances” may inspire home extremists to interact in violence across the election.
In a latest cellphone dialog, Mack’s tone sounded extra deflated than antagonistic; he admitted that he was “annoyed” that extra sheriffs weren’t taking a extra lively position in policing elections, a apply that has led to voters feeling intimidated prior to now.
“President Biden and his administration have simply brought on a lot further work for the sheriffs, it is actually onerous to get them to deal with elections,” says Mack. Each sheriff on this nation ought to confirm the safety and integrity of the voting of their county. Each single one.”
Dar Leaf, for one, stays targeted. As he prepares to police an election whereas persevering with to research the final one, he’s clear-eyed about the place the menace is coming from: immigrants and Democrats. He claims that America has obtained “different nations’ rubbish,” and because of this, he must act.
“Any police officer who thinks that machine is dangerous or one thing prison is occurring,” Leaf says, “we’ve got an obligation to grab it.”
