January 05, 2022 11:45 AM UTC

Why Is a Militia Group Raising Money for Marshall Fire Victims?

• 8 Comments
• by: Jason Salzman

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Far-right conspiracist group FEC United and its militia division, the United American Defense Force (UADF), are seeking assistance (cash, food, clothes, housing, and more) for victims of the Marshall Fire and taking applications from victims to receive help, if the victims upload copies of their “driver’s license and a bank statement or bill” to FEC’s website.

“The Marshall Fire Evacuees are facing months or more of displacement and insecurity,” states FEC United’s Facebook page. “We are here to help! We are now accepting applications for displaced families. We stand together, we fight together, and we get through challenging times — together. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please complete this form and share this resource.”

Because FEC United is using organizing tactics, including the formation and deployment of a militia, that raise the specter of violence, its request of personal information from fire victims, ostensibly to vet applicants, is seen by some as potentially dangerous or as opportunistic.

FEC United founder Joe Oltmann recently called for Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and members of the media to be hanged for treason. Oltmann was present at the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and is one of Colorado’s top promoters of baseless election conspiracies. Oltmann is a plaintiff in the defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting System’s Eric Coomer, along with Trump lawyers Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani.

The leader of UADF is John “Tig” Tiegen, a former Marine and Trump campaign spokesman who’s said UADF teaches “urban warfare”. He labels himself a “government official” on his Facebook page. His Twitter page appears to have been suspended.

In 2020, Tiegen organized a rally in Colorado to “TAKE OUR FUCKING COUNTRY BACK.”

UADF’s membership fee includes “access to legal protection for members in the event of having to discharge a weapon to stop a threat,” according to its website.

UADF and FEC United, which was led in 2020 by Colorado Republican Party Chair Kristi Burton Brown, were present at school board meetings in Colorado last year, causing disruptions and amping up tensions.

FEC United organized the “Patriot Muster” rally in 2020 in Denver that turned deadly when a private security guard hired by 9News to protect its reporters shot and killed a rally attendee who pepper-sprayed him.

“FEC United and community members are taking donations for gift cards, water, non-perishable food, pet food, horse feed, baby items, blankets, clothes, and toiletries,” states FEC United’s Facebook post, which had only 17 “likes” and seven “shares” as of Wednesday. “Volunteers are needed to offer temporary shelter to evacuees, stalls/pastures for horses, and haul items to needed locations for evacuees and emergency service workers, regardless of vaccination status or political affiliation. Believe it or not, unvaccinated Americans are experiencing first-hand discrimination while trying to find temporary shelter for their families. It’s time for action that walks the talk. Let’s care for our neighbors. Make a donation at the link below or visit the link in the image to sign up to volunteer.”

Neither FEC United immediately responded to requests for comment.

Erik Maulbetsch is co-author of this post.