After Getting Call From President, 'Cowboys For Trump' Organizer Hopes to Embark on Nationwide Horseback Tour

After a horseback ride from Maryland to Washington, D.C., garnered the attention of President Donald Trump, the leader of the Cowboys for Trump hopes to embark on a nationwide tour. A native of New Mexico, Couy Griffin grew up riding horses and spent a few years working at the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show at Disneyland in Paris. His affinity for traveling miles on horseback took him across the country twice, through Europe and into Jerusalem. In February, after putting out a few pleas on Facebook for co-riders, Griffin led a crew of 12 men and one woman from Cumberland, Maryland, to Washington, D.C. Based on his past experiences, Griffin knew a horseback ride can attract attention and this time, he used the platform as an expression of support for Trump. Now, Griffin’s hoping to take the Cowboys for Trump on a nationwide tour to all 50 state capitals, dubbed the “Circle the Wagons" tour, as an homage to their heritage. “If you know anything about the old west when they circle their wagons that’s usually when they’re under attack and that’s what we feel like right now, that we’re under attack,” Griffin said. One of their first stops was to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the number of cowboys – and cowgirls – grew from 13 to about 98. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to meet with Governor Michelle Grisham because of logistics. Griffin claimed she wouldn’t come outside to meet them and they couldn’t accept her invitation to come inside because of their horses. Along with being an expression that people stand behind the president, Griffin said the initial ride and the national tour is a way to express support for Trump's policies, specifically when it comes to border security. Living in New Mexico, Griffin said his state is directly affected by illegal immigration. He pointed to his aunt and uncle, who he said had a ranch on the border that was passed down over five generations. However, about five years ago, Griffin said they sold it after they were repeatedly woken up by people, many of whom were hungry and lost, who crossed the border and broke into their home. “We have political leaders that have the audacity to stand up there and say there’s no problem down here,” Griffin said. “It’s ludicrous, it’s politics at its finest and I don’t say that in good light. It’s the dirty in the politics.”...MORE