Couy Griffin

Case Summary

Couy Griffin is a county commissioner in New Mexico, as well as the founder of the group Cowboys for Trump. According to federal prosecutors, Griffin spoke to the growing crowd outside the Capitol with a bullhorn and entered into restricted areas by the steps of the Capitol. He has not been charged with entering the Capitol building. Griffin has repeatedly questioned the results of the 2020 presidential election and has been a staunch ally of Donald Trump. He has been photographed with Trump inside the Oval Office. At times, Griffin has used violent rhetoric — for example, stating that "the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat." (He later said that he meant no physical harm to Democrats.) The day after the Capitol insurrection, according to court documents, he also said he planned to return to Washington, D.C., and said, "we could have a 2nd Amendment rally on those same steps that we had that rally yesterday. You know, and if we do, then it's gonna be a sad day, because there's gonna be blood running out of that building." FBI agents interviewed Griffin about his actions on Jan. 6, and the agents said in a memo that "Griffin was proud of the turnout and commented that seeing the 'patriots' claiming control of the Capitol 'by God it felt pretty damn good.' " Griffin was arrested on Jan. 17, 2021, and faces charges of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority. Griffin's attorney has highlighted the fact that his charge relates only to his alleged presence in restricted areas outside the Capitol. "The only conviction in his criminal history is a DUI almost 25 year ago," his attorney stated in one court filing. "He is a part of a large and loving family, including a sister and brothers and seven-year-old son, who are deeply concerned for his welfare, familiar with his case, and steeped in respect for law enforcement."

Case History

Griffin pleaded Not Guilty to both charges. A Bench Trial was held on March 21 and 22, 2022. Griffin was found Guilty of one count, Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; and Not Guilty of the second count, Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds. Sentenced on 6/17/2022 to 14 days incarceration (credit for time already served); 1 year supervised release; 60 hours community service; $3,000 fine; $500 restitution; $25 special assessment. Griffin received a full pardon on January 20, 2025

Sources

• Primary Documentation
  NPR Jan. 6 Defendant DatabaseNPR
• Primary Documentation
  Underlying court recordCourt record linked by NPR
• Supporting Reporting
  NPR video evidence pageNPR

Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.