Episode 6: Stop the Steal

How are sheriffs undermining elections? Since 2022, the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA) has teamed up with True the Vote, a multi million-dollar “Stop the Steal” group, to position sheriffs as key players in election denial. This episode explores how these sheriffs’ actions have escalated voter intimidation and suppression, with plans to deputize armed citizens and form “posses” to disrupt election processes and intimidate officials. We reveal how this movement both upholds systemic White supremacy and pushes for a new vision—one that some describe as a modern confederacy. As these alliances converge heading into 2024, what does it mean for the future of democracy?

Featured in this episode:

• Jessica Pishko, independent journalist, lawyer, and author of The Highest Law in The Land: How The Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy
• Mary McCord, Executive Director at the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP)
• Devin Burghardt, President and Executive Director of the Institute for Research & Education on Human Rights (IREHR)

Further Reading:

• CSPOA is preparing to disrupt elections in the lead up to 2024.
• Plans to target election officials in Florida have surfaced in particular.
• The Claremont Institute’s Sheriff Fellowship discloses the MAGA think tank’s strategy.
• Read The Highest Law in The Land: How The Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy.

The Insurgence: Sheriffs is created and hosted by Cloee Cooper. This episode was co-written by Cooper and Camilo Garzón. Field recording, research, and investigative reporting for this series by Cloee Cooper. Audio production and audio editing for this series by Laura Ubaté and Camilo Garzón. Sound design, engineering, and mix for this series by Daniel Murcia and Juan David Sarmiento. Story editing, story development, and consulting production by Cuentero Productions. All under their client-facing trademark, Cuentero Transeúnte Productions. Olivia Lawrence-Weilmann was our production assistant and creative consultant, and provided fact-checking for the series. Additional production assistance by Rene Martin. Original score is by Aakash Desai. The Insurgence: Sheriffs is executive produced by Cloee Cooper for Political Research Associates and by Camilo Garzón for Cuentero Productions.

Thanks to Tony Philips, Jackson Allers, Yahyah Johnson, Ariel Cooper, and Preeti Shekar for their production consultation and for believing in this series. Thanks to Koki Mendis, Becca, and Jasper Bernes for helping me see it through. Thanks to Gabriel Joffe for their creative and design input over so many years. And to Christina Voight and the Soros Justice Fellowship for giving me the time and support to make it happen. And a very special thanks to Javier Briones for always bringing people, stories, and projects like this all together.