Archived News

2023 A Look Back: Didn’t Read the Fine Print Award

Founder of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association Richard Mack (left) looks on as Ronald J. Wright  speaks at an event in Murphy earlier this year. Founder of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association Richard Mack (left) looks on as Ronald J. Wright speaks at an event in Murphy earlier this year. Kyle Perrotti photo

Congressman Chuck Edwards apparently doesn’t read The Smoky Mountain News, but if he did, it may have saved him some humiliation earlier this year. 

On Sept. 5, SMN first reported on a meeting of shady sovereign-types who’ve formed an organization espousing the preposterous “constitutional sheriffs” movement, which is anything but.

The group, founded by a former sheriff from Utah, held a meeting in Murphy that same month to share its crackpot theories on how a “constitutional” sheriff:

· has more authority than even the President;

· can pick and choose which laws they decide to enforce; and

· may ignore centuries of precedent, jurisprudence and legislation regarding the Constitution.

Related Items

Veering off into the bizarre, the group also espouses election denialism and COVID-19 conspiracy theories and has strong ties to the disgraced Oath Keepers movement.

So what did Edwards do?

He sent some poor staffer all the way from the other end of his district to Murphy to present the leader of the group with an award.

If that’s not revolting enough for you, a pledge on the group’s website, which ostensibly exists for law enforcement officers to download and sign, was authored by a self-avowed Christian nationalist and white supremacist who now serves on the group’s board of directors.

The pledge also contains a threat, similar to threats made by former Haywood County resident/Aliceville FCI inmate # 20217-510 Darris Moody, to “arrest, detain and recommend prosecution” of government officials who don’t agree with their perverted interpretation of the law.

The new chairman of the group’s board runs an internet “news radio” service that the Southern Poverty Law Center says airs white supremacist content.

As is his custom, Edwards refused to speak to SMN about the award.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.