The Trouble with Doug Traubel
In Ada County’s upcoming sheriff race, we face more than just a choice between candidates. Doug Traubel’s candidacy brings the dangerous ideology of the Constitutional Sheriffs Movement into sharp focus. Traubel’s alignment with far-right extremists like Ammon Bundy and his devotion to the CSPOA (Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association) should be alarming to anyone who values law and order, as his interpretation of the Constitution is not only incorrect but also threatens the safety and rights of our community’s most vulnerable.
The Constitutional Sheriff Movement: Extremism in Uniform
The Constitutional Sheriffs Movement is built on the false premise that elected sheriffs are the highest legal authority in their jurisdictions, able to overrule both state and federal law. This fringe theory, popularized by Richard Mack, founder of the CSPOA, directly contradicts the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes that federal law takes precedence over state and local laws. Yet Mack and his followers continue to claim that sheriffs have the right to defy federal authority—whether that means refusing to enforce gun control laws or dismissing public health mandates.
This ideology is not merely a harmless misunderstanding of the Constitution—it is a pathway to lawlessness. Mack himself is infamous for his role in the Bundy Ranch standoff, where he shamelessly suggested using women and children as human shields against federal officers. This tactic is emblematic of the disregard for human life and legal accountability that permeates the Constitutional Sheriffs Movement. And Doug Traubel is fully committed to it.
Traubel’s Extremist Views and Dangerous Ideology
Traubel’s record is littered with troubling statements and actions. His book, Red Badge: A Veteran Peace Officer’s Commentary on the Marxist Subversion of American Law Enforcement & Culture, pushes inflammatory and baseless claims, including the debunked idea that "50% of rape allegations are false." His social media is filled with bigoted remarks, from calling Islam a “culture of death” to questioning the value of single mothers, whom he disparages as “not economically viable.”
These statements aren’t just personal opinions—they reflect the mindset of a man who wants to be entrusted with the safety of Ada County residents. How can we trust a sheriff who openly expresses disdain for large segments of the population, from Muslims to single mothers, to fairly and impartially enforce the law?
Traubel’s belief in the constitutional sheriff myth further complicates this. As a supporter of the CSPOA, he subscribes to the idea that he, as sheriff, would be empowered to defy state and federal laws if they don’t align with his personal beliefs. This is not only unconstitutional, it’s a recipe for chaos.
Ammon Bundy’s Influence: From Lawlessness to Liability
Traubel’s devotion to the Constitutional Sheriffs Movement ties him directly to Ammon Bundy, one of Idaho’s most notorious figures. Bundy’s long history of defying the law, including his leadership in the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, has made him a hero among anti-government extremists. But his actions have also come at a steep price—not just for the communities he terrorizes, but for himself.
Bundy’s most recent act of lawlessness has resulted in a $50 million judgment against him for the damage he caused to St. Luke’s Hospital. Bundy led a campaign of lies and harassment against the hospital, accusing it of kidnapping a child and rallying his followers to protest outside its doors. This wasn’t just a political stunt—it was a calculated attack on healthcare professionals, leading to significant harm and disruption to the community. Now, Bundy is evading the consequences of his actions, ducking this massive judgment.
If elected, would Trauble serve warrants on Bundy, or stand beside him in defiance of court orders the Sheriff must uphold? I think we all know the answer.
Doug Traubel’s alignment with Bundy and his willingness to champion Bundy’s causes should be a massive red flag for Ada County voters. Electing someone who is ideologically aligned with a man who has been found legally responsible for endangering public safety and refusing to face accountability will have dire consequences for our county.
The Dangers to Women, Children, and Child Protection Services
Perhaps most troubling about Traubel’s beliefs is how they could endanger the most vulnerable in our community—women and children, especially those trapped in abusive relationships. The Constitutional Sheriffs Movement often refuses to enforce laws that protect victims of domestic violence, viewing restraining orders and child protection measures as government overreach.
Traubel’s ties to Bundy’s People’s Rights Network make this even more alarming. This network has been vocal about its desire to eliminate Child Protection Services (CPS) altogether, which would leave children in abusive situations even more vulnerable. The Constitutional Sheriffs and People’s Rights ideologies claim CPS is a government tool to infringe on parental rights, but in reality, removing CPS puts children directly in harm’s way, taking away their lifeline to safety.
In practice, this means that abusers who align with Traubel’s worldview could be shielded from the law. Victims of domestic violence, already struggling to escape dangerous situations, could find themselves without recourse if their sheriff refuses to enforce the very laws designed to protect them. This is the future Traubel envisions for Ada County.
The Far-Right Support Behind Traubel
Traubel isn’t running this race on his own—he’s backed by the same far-right wing of so-called “Republicans” who are working to pull Idaho in a dangerous direction. Leading the charge is the Conservatives of PAC and associates of the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) . These groups have openly supported non-Republican candidates like Traubel, just as they supported Ammon Bundy’s run for governor as an Independent.
Here’s where the hypocrisy shines through: the same people who tell Idahoans they must only vote Republican to prevent Democrats from “turning the state blue” are the very people backing non-Republican, non-viable candidates like Bundy. It’s clear that their loyalty lies not with the Republican Party, but with their extremist agenda.
Case in point: they are actively working to sabotage Republican Laurie Lickley, by endorsing Kala Tate (Independent) to help the Democrat win, simply because she didn’t bow to the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s brand of radicalism.
The same so called “Republicans” are backing independent write in candidate Gregory Diacogiannis against the longtime conservative legislator and Second Amendment advocate Judy Boyle.
The Idaho Freedom Foundation’s political machine supports Doug Traubel. They don’t care about the rule of law, public safety, or the future of Ada County—they care about pushing their extremist agenda and backing anyone who will help them dismantle the government systems they despise, even if it puts women, children, and the entire community at risk.
A Sheriff Who Threatens, Not Protects
The idea of Doug Traubel as sheriff is alarming on many fronts. His devotion to a movement that fundamentally misunderstands and contradicts the Constitution is just the start. His troubling public statements, his alignment with extremists like Ammon Bundy, and his potential to disregard the safety of women and children in the name of “parental rights” or “constitutional authority” make him a threat to the very people he is supposed to protect.
Ada County deserves a sheriff who will uphold the law—not one who will rewrite it to fit his personal, extremist agenda. The Constitutional Sheriffs Movement, with its delusional ideas of unchecked power and its ties to anti-government radicals, is not just misguided—it is dangerous. And Doug Traubel is fully committed to bringing that danger into our community.
As voters, we have a duty to ensure that our sheriff protects everyone, especially the most vulnerable. Traubel’s record shows he is incapable of doing that. The trouble with Traubel isn’t just his extremist ideology—it’s the real-world consequences his election would bring to Ada County. We can’t afford to let that happen.
As for me and my family, we want a Sheriff who will uphold the rule of law, understands their job, and will protect the community. That’s why we are supporting the Republican candidate for Ada County Sheriff, Matt Clifford.
About the Author
Gregory Graf is the creator of Political Potatoes and a lifelong conservative Republican whose articles often criticize the hypocrisy committed by far-right grifters who’ve taken control of the GOP. Graf is the CEO of Snake River Strategies, a communications and political consulting firm based in Eagle, Idaho. Graf and his family moved to Idaho Falls in 2013 from Utah and currently reside in Star.
Disclaimer
The following is intended to convey an opinion on newsworthy events of public concern regarding public figures and/or public officials in the exercise of their official duties. No implications or inferences—beyond those explicitly stated in the preceding— are intended to be conveyed or endorsed by the Author. Wherever available, hyperlinks have been provided to allow readers to directly access any underlying assertions of fact upon which this opinion is based.
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