Cherokee Nation Withdraws Donation To Republican AG Assoc. After Robocalls Promoting DC Rally

Update: The executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association Adam Piper has resigned following backlash from the robocall reports that contributed to the riot at the Capitol, Alex Gerszewski, spokesperson for AG Hunter confirmed.

An investigation has begun into robocalls that encouraged people to go to Washington D.C. to march on the U.S. Capitol. Those calls were made by a fundraising arm of the Republicans Attorneys General Association.

The Cherokee Nation, who donated to the group, said they were shocked to find out thousands of their dollars possibly went to those calls without their knowledge.

A copy of the robocall was shared by the liberal watchdog website "Documented." The site said the call was made by the Rule of Law Defense Fund the day before The March to Save America rally in D.C., encouraging people to participate. The defense fund is a fundraising arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association.

The robocall that was recorded said,

“I’m calling for the Rule of Law Defense Fund with an important message. The march to save America is tomorrow in Washington D.C. at the Ellipse in President’s Park between E St. and Constitution Avenue on the south side of the White House, with doors opening at 7:00 a.m. At 1:00 p.m., we will march to the Capitol building and call on congress to stop the steal. We are hoping patriots like you will join us to continue to fight to protect the integrity of our elections. For more information, visit MarchtoSaveAmerica.com. This call is paid for and authorized by the Rule of Law Defense Fund, 202-796-5838.” 

The Cherokee Nation is now withdrawing its $150,000 contribution to the Republican Attorney's General Association. The tribe says,

"Cherokee Nation has a long-standing practice of supporting the state and federal elections of candidates from both sides of the aisle who have decision-making responsibilities over matters that impact our tribe and its businesses. When we became aware last week that the Rule of Law Defense Fund, a sister organization of RAGA, acted inappropriately by issuing robocalls encouraging people to march to the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, Cherokee Nation Businesses took immediate steps to demand a full and immediate refund of its membership dues to RAGA."

Cherokee Nation Businesses is appalled by the actions taken by the mob of insurrectionists towards the U.S. Capitol, Capitol police, staff and representatives within. Our sympathies are with the families who lost loved ones in the storming of the Capitol. We condemn the actions taken by the Rule of Law Defense Fund and have expressed our outrage with RAGA directly. 

CNB’s policy and procedures is to notify Cherokee Nation and CNB leadership of any political giving of $10,000 or more. Pursuant to this policy, those parties were notified on October 23, 2020. 

Attorney General Mike Hunter is on the executive board of the AG's Association. Communication Director for Hunter's office issued this statement, saying,

“Attorney General Hunter was not consulted, he was not aware of and does not support the choice made by the RLDF staff to participate in the rally on Jan. 6 in Washington. An internal review of the matter is underway and an announcement regarding the results of that review is expected today. Attorney General Hunter finds the violence at the Capitol appalling and condemned the attack as it was happening."

Hunter's office issued this statement from Hunter, saying,

“The violence at the U.S. Capitol is appalling and unacceptable. I echo the sentiments of Vice President Mike Pence, who said ‘peaceful protest is the right of every American, but this attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated, and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.’ I hope Oklahomans join me in praying for those hurt in today’s attack on the Capitol, the safety of those attempting to restore order, and pray for peace and healing for our nation.”

 According to Hunter's office, Oklahomans were not targeted by the calls. Hunter's office also said the Association is looking into the calls and they should have an announcement on the results by Monday evening.