Cox Pushing Even Fringier Theories
Not content with just losing an election, Dan Cox is now pushing discredited theories based in anti-semitism
Dan Cox may be yesterday’s news after getting clocked in the 2022 Gubernatorial Election, but he still is pushing fringe theories to the public.
Cox, who for some reason still has a following despite being a completely incompetent candidate, was recently discussing the importance of local government. He made a lot of important and salient points about the importance of local elections and local government. Points I’ve been making over a decade.
But he had to end his missive with this:
Also, the County elected Sheriff is a last line of defense from State overreach. They have superior constitutional jurisdiction over any state official including the Governor and state police.
He was so close to getting it right.
The idea of the County Sheriff having “superior constitutional jurisdiction over any state official including the Governor and state police” is the same “Constitutional Sheriff” argument pushed by disgraced sheriffs like Joe Arpaio. It also has some disturbing roots:
The constitutional sheriff movement arose from the ashes of the far-right, anti-semitic Posse Comitatus movement of the 1970s and 80s, led by William Potter Gale. The insignia favored by these Christian Patriots was a redesigned sheriff’s badge containing a noose, Bible and sword, to reflect their belief that sheriffs were responsible for the armed defense of citizens and higher law (a combination of their view of the Constitution and Christian Identity teachings). Before the movement collapsed with Gale’s death, its paramilitary figures developed an anti-tax, anti-government agenda that stoked conspiracy theories that Jews were responsible for oppressing farmers through crushing taxes and exorbitant loans. Its foot soldiers gained notoriety when they tried to stop foreclosures in the Midwest and engaged in shootouts with U.S. marshals.
The modern constitutional sheriff movement has revived the idea of sheriff supremacy envisioned by the Christian Patriots, tried to shed its anti-Semitic and racist origins, and now seeks to “take back America county by county, state by state.” Today, its ideology has gained traction with the militia movement, so-called sovereign citizens, separatists wary of centralized government—and increasingly, landowners, county commissioners, veterans and law enforcement figures.
The word “Sheriff” appears zero times in the Constitution. Additionally, here is what the State Constitution says about Sheriffs.
Part VII - Sheriffs.
SEC. 44. There shall be elected in each county and in Baltimore City one person, resident in said county or City, above the age of twenty-five years and for at least five years preceding his election a citizen of the State, to the office of Sheriff. He shall hold office for four years, until his successor is duly elected and qualified, give such bond, exercise such powers and perform such duties as now are or may hereafter be fixed by law. In case of vacancy by death, resignation, refusal to serve, or neglect to qualify or give bond, or by disqualification or removal from the County or City, the Governor shall appoint a person to be Sheriff for the remainder of the official term. The Sheriff in each county and in Baltimore City shall receive such salary or compensation and such expenses necessary to the conduct of his office as may be fixed by law. All fees collected by the Sheriff shall be accounted for and paid to the Treasury of the several counties and of Baltimore City, respectively (amended by Chapter 845, Acts of 1914, ratified Nov. 3, 1914; Chapter 786, Acts of 1945, ratified Nov. 5, 1946; Chapter 55, Acts of 1953, ratified Nov. 2, 1954; Chapter 681, Acts of 1977, ratified Nov. 7, 1978).
At no point, in any document known to man, do Sheriffs have any powers that give them “superior jurisdiction” over the Governor and state police.
I guess Dan Cox was sick the day they taught law at law school.
I understand that Cox is thoroughly discredited as a political entity after his terrible campaign and his electoral defeat. But considering how Cox is trying to maintain his political profile and reinvent himself as a radio talk show host, it is important to point out when he continues to say batshit things.