Lewis and Clark County's elected justice of the peace acknowledged that he sent an "inappropriate" email chastising a Washington Post reporter for coverage that was critical the far-right conspiracy theory QAnon.
"Whether Q is real or otherwise, there is a movement started by the hypothesis of a Q and somebody behind the scenes standing up for the average American citizen," Judge Michael Swingley wrote in an email Wednesday from his official government account to reporter Avi Selk. "Patriots are uniting against people just like you. Your world of fake news and liberal agendas that give away our country to foreigners and protect the Clintons and Obamas is coming to an end. Wait for it……….. you pathetic, snobby ass."
Just a QAnon email from a .gov address belonging to a justice of the peace … pic.twitter.com/AHtbM8MPww
— Avi Selk (@aviselk) January 3, 2019
In a written response provided to the Independent Record Friday, Swingley said "I fully admit that my decision to utilize my work email was inappropriate and was not the best decision, professionally or personally. Frustrated, and overwhelmed I lashed out at a reporter who, once again wants to focus on the symptom of a problem, and not admit it is time to fix our differences."
According to The New York Times, "Q" is an online character who claims to be a government insider working to expose bureaucrats plotting against President Donald Trump's administration and supporters. CBS News reports that many followers of QAnon believe a "deep state" took over the government decades ago and have been involved in everything from the assassination of JFK to the rise of ISIS.
"Many Q fans believe that President Kennedy was set to reveal the existence of the secret government when he was assassinated," CBS News reported. "They also believe President Reagan was shot on the deep state's orders, and that all the presidents since he left office – with the exception of Mr. Trump – have been deep state agents."
Selk was not able to comment publicly but provided links to two pieces he has written about QAnon for The Washington Post: An Aug. 1 article co-written by another Washington Post reporter and an Aug. 5 piece labeled as "analysis."
The first article discusses the origins of the QAnon movement and how it quickly spread online. Selk's analysis examined several individual theories being peddled by supporters, poking fun at the "meticulous research and robust body of evidence believers say supports all of QAnon."
In his statement, Swingley said he believes Q is nothing more than an "internet based illusion" but was frustrated with Selk for focusing on the internet movement "and not realizing that it is a symptom of real issues."
"(Selk's) position seemed to be anyone who speaks up for anything, must be a conspiracy seeking, nut ball," Swingley said. "My point was, and is that people have had enough. People are beginning to stand up and ask for change and are grabbing on to a Q, Antifa, or any other group that they feel gets their message across."
Swingley said he has received many positive emails in response to his letter to Selk, along with "several threats, plus emails from people claiming to be Q and everything in between."
Justice Court is responsible for processing all misdemeanor offenses in the county, including traffic, criminal and animal control violations.
https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/helena-judge-says-his-email-chastising-reporter-for-coverage-critical/article_5db2baac-da67-5c99-a76b-ad0a3dddd179.html