Indianapolis Business Journal: “Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer did not immediately respond to a request for comment from IBJ.”
ICYMI: Indiana state senator linked to extremist militia group Oath Keepers
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today criticized Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer for his failure to condemn the domestic terrorist organization responsible for the January 6 Insurrection against the United States. It’s been four days since the media asked Hupfer if he would denounce the Oath Keepers and sever any ties the Indiana Republican Party has with the hate group, but Hupfer remains silent.
“It’s alarming to see the Indiana Republican Party connected to the domestic terrorist organization responsible for the January 6 Insurrection and the attempt to overthrow the United States government,” said Mike Schmuhl, Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party. “Indiana Democrats have said since January 6 that Indiana Republicans are endorsing a form of extreme partisanship that divides communities and puts the safety of Hoosier families at risk – and sadly, it’s becoming more true by the day. It’s time for INGOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer to denounce the Oath Keepers.”
This simple request by Indiana Democrats came as State Senator Scott Baldwin was found to hold an “annual” membership with the Oath Keepers. In fact, this domestic terrorist organization has support from elected officials — all Republicans — across the nation. Last week’s bombshell report sets a dangerous precedent for the nation’s future, and it’s imperative Chairman Hupfer and Indiana Republicans condemn domestic terrorist organizations like the Oath Keepers that’ve been proven to discredit elections and American democracy itself.
Indianapolis Business Journal: “Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer did not immediately respond to a request for comment from IBJ.”
Indiana Public Media: Indiana state senator linked to extremist militia group Oath Keepers
Indiana Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) has been linked to the anti-government extremist group the Oath Keepers.
A ProPublica analysis of a data leak of the violent militia group listed Baldwin as an “annual member.”
The nonprofit news organization analyzed a leaked list of more than 35,000 members of the Oath Keepers and found about four dozen state and local government officials across the country – all of them Republicans.
Prosecutors have said Oath Keepers were part of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Baldwin, a former Indianapolis police officer, said he gave $30 to the group in 2010, when he was running for county sheriff. In a statement, the he said the Oath Keepers were described to him then as a “Second Amendment rights group” and that he’s had no interaction or communication with it since that decade-old donation.
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