Political pugilism in Idaho can get ugly. Over the past few years, there has been an escalation in attacks on legislators, political consultants, campaign volunteers, and online spectators weighing in on public policy. Tensions rise, and donor money is poured into these fights, igniting personal animosity. In 2018, I started a website called Idaho Conservatives. I saw things that bothered me within the Republican brand I had identified with since I was a kid and decided to create a platform that would shed light on behaviors and tactics I felt were dishonest and abusive. I had no idea that by ..read more

With a complex blend of emotions, we announce the passing of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. The organization has succumbed to a painful, undiagnosed case of Chronic Hypocrisy. The IFF we all knew over the last ten years is dead. From its ashes rises something much worse: a flailing network of extremist groups that actively defend white supremacists and push authoritarian agendas that pose a danger to the liberty of all Idaho citizens. In this obituary of Wayne Hoffman’s Idaho Freedom Foundation, we’ll reflect on what his organization has accomplished and what to expect under IFF’s new President ..read more

The Gem State Substack recently presented Idaho State Senator Glenneda Zuiderveld with the “2023 Stateswoman of the Year” award for her efforts “exposing malfeasance in the state bureaucracy” and “standing up to establishment bullies.” What is the Gem State Substack? Well, it’s a blog run by former Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) communications director, Brian Almon, who quietly exited the organization to run this little-known blog. And what about that award for standing up to the establishment bullies? As far as I can tell, it’s something he just made up to reward Sen. Zuiderveld’s behavior. L ..read more

Canyon County resident John Heida recently made the beautiful state of Idaho his home. Like many who consider themselves political refugees after they could not convert their communities to match their values, Heida teamed up with the Idaho Freedom Foundation Network to promote his values to lifelong Idahoans through his group called “Stop Idaho RINOs.” Heida recently published a series of tweets that worked to normalize extremism in Idaho. He said, “We are calling on Idahoans to crush the curve and embrace the EXTREME. Don’t let them control the narrative. Never before has it been labeled EXT ..read more

We often hear about the growing threat of extremism and the influence of out-of-state financing on our local politics. These issues have prompted conversations about how we can reform our electoral system to better represent the people of Idaho. With the threat of armed stand-offs, intentional destruction of beloved institutions, and near constant misinformation campaigns from groups with ties to dangerous rhetoric, it’s time to act. With the current voting systems in place, it won’t be long before the state loses its ability to form a representative government that is for the people and not f ..read more

In today’s world, we often encounter people who use manipulative tactics to gain support for their cause. Ammon Bundy, a far-right political activist and leader of the self-proclaimed patriot group, the People’s Right’s Network, is no exception. Bundy has been accused of using dishonest attacks on St. Luke’s Hospital as part of a grift to enrich himself and Diego Rodriguez.  This article aims to analyze the tactics employed by Ammon Bundy in his speech, highlighting the use of abusive language and logical fallacies to manipulate people into supporting him, even when he is 100% in the wron ..read more

Fostering critical thinking and promoting the principles of logical argumentation are essential in today’s increasingly polarized world. As Idahoans, we need to discern manipulative and abusive language. One way to do this is by recognizing logical fallacies in written arguments. This article from Idaho Tribune is rife with logical fallacies and abusive language. The focus is not to criticize the so-called author’s political stance but to identify and explain the fallacies, helping Idahoans better evaluate arguments made by far-right activists and instigators. Below are several quotes from a r ..read more

IDAHO FALLS — Idaho Conservatives co-founder Gregory Graf has filed a motion for leave to pursue a lawsuit against Rep. Chad Christensen (R-District 32) and his associates, including Dustin Hurst of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, Greg Pruett, who runs Idaho Dispatch and Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, and Christensen’s employer, for defamation, civil conspiracy, fraudulent activity and targeted harassment, including at Graf’s former place of employment. The lawsuit alleges that after a series of targeted harassment, involving far-right militia groups and including doxxing of Graf and his famil ..read more

As a result of the deceptive editing and description of the events from October of 2020, I have filed litigation to clear my name. The truth of what actually happened is not reflected in the dishonest articles, social media posts, and radio show mentions that were used to attack my reputation. A warning letter was sent to the parties involved requesting they avoid using a false narrative, and yet they persisted. Click the link below to read the petition filed on 11/30/2020. Gregory Graf Petition 11/30/20Download Page 1 of Gregory Graf’s petition filed on 11/30/2020 The post Gregory Graf Resp ..read more

Do not ever get between parents and their kids’ sports. This is an important lesson anyone who has ever witnessed someone go all momma bear at a local soccer match when a referee makes a bad call. Police often attend games to make sure overzealous parents don’t go crazy over minor offenses. With college futures on the line, some parents will not be ok with anyone disrupting their plans. This is a lesson Ammon Bundy failed to learn when he caused the cancelation of a Caldwell vs. Emmett high school football game​1​ so he could protest being asked to wear a mask during the pandemic. Bundy, a par ..read more