Oliver North is forced to step down as NRA president a day after he was accused of trying to oust Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre from leadership role
- North's departure was announced Saturday in a letter read by an NRA board member at the gun rights group's annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana
- North stated in the letter that he was being forced out of his role due to his allegations that NRA leaders had engaged in financial improprieties
- His departure comes a day after NRA Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre accused North of trying to oust him from his leadership position
- LaPierre's accusation came in the form of a letter published in a Wall Street Journal article on Friday
- He claims North threatened to release 'damaging' information about him to humiliate him, discredit the NRA, and 'raise appearances of impropriety'
Retired U.S. Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North on Saturday announced that he will step down as president of the National Rifle Association
Retired U.S. Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North on Saturday announced that he will step down as president of the National Rifle Association.
The former military officer who took over as NRA president in May of 2018 said he was being forced out of the role due to his allegations that NRA leaders engaged in financial improprieties.
In a letter read by an NRA board member during the gun rights group's annual meeting in Indianapolis, North, a conservative commentator best known for his central role in the 1980s Iran-Contra affair, said he had hoped to stand for re-election when his term ends on Monday.
'I am now informed that will not happen,' North said in the letter.
His pending departure comes a day after NRA Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre accused North of trying to oust him from his leadership role.
LaPierre wrote a letter Thursday that was published by the Wall Street Journal on Friday that said North was threatening to release 'damaging' information about him.
NRA officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
North, 75, was a pivotal figure in the Iran-Contra affair involving secret sales of arms to Iran by Republican President Ronald Reagan's administration and the unlawful diversion of the proceeds to Nicaraguan rebels.
A member of a militia organization stands at a rally in front of the Indiana State Capitol, near the site of the National Rifle Association's (NRA) annual meeting, in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indiana State Representative Christy Stutzman speaks at a militia rally in front of the Indiana State Capitol
Armed militias have long been active on the fringes of American society and but continue to see a rise today
Outside of the convention hall members of a militia organization stood at a rally with their guns on view for all to see in front of the Indiana State Capitol, near the site of the NRA meeting,
The militia groups, many of which offer paramilitary training to members to rebuff expected government attacks, first arose in the early 1990s as a reaction to fears that the federal government was about to confiscate firearms from its citizens.
The armed militias have long been active on the fringes of American society and but continue to see a rise today.
Militia leaders claimed that gun-control legislation was a prelude to socialist one-world government, or 'New World Order.'
The militia groups, many of which offer paramilitary training to members to rebuff expected government attacks, first arose in the early 1990s as a reaction to fears that the federal government was about to confiscate firearms from its citizens
Militia membership jumped immediately after Timothy McVeigh blew up Oklahoma City's Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995, but then began to dwindle, according to the FBI
Militiamen and women positioned themselves as a 'last defense' against the government, according to the Anti-Defamation League, which tracks the groups
Oliver North speaks at the National Rifle Association event yesterday
LaPierre (left) hailed North (right) as 'a legendary warrior for American freedom, a gifted communicator and skilled leader' when North was appointed president of the organization in May of 2018, but the men have since fallen out
Members of an Indiana militia organization were seen outside the state capitol
Militia leaders claimed that gun-control legislation was a prelude to socialist one-world government, or 'New World Order''
Militiamen and women positioned themselves as a 'last defense' against the government, according to the Anti-Defamation League, which tracks the groups.
While many of the surviving militias now disclaim violence and terrorism, some of the more paranoid and extremist organizations still present a grave threat, experts say.
Despite claims from some militia leaders that they speak for the entire movement, there is no centralized militia leadership and different chapters hold far different views.
The NRA, with more than 5 million members, is by far the most powerful and well-connected gun lobby in the United States.
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Indiana State Representative Jim Lucas (L) stands with members of a militia organization
While many of the surviving militias now disclaim violence and terrorism, some of the more paranoid and extremist organizations still present a grave threat, experts say
Despite claims from some militia leaders that they speak for the entire movement, there is no centralized militia leadership and different chapters hold far different views
Indiana State Representative Jim Lucas speaks at a militia rally in front of the Indiana State Capitol, near the site of the National Rifle Association's annual meeting
It has worked closely with legislators to protect firearms manufacturers from liability for gun violence and pushed a ban on US health officials from promoting gun control.
LaPierre hailed North as 'a legendary warrior for American freedom, a gifted communicator and skilled leader,' when North was appointed president of the organization last year.
But the pair have since fallen out, with LaPierre telling NRA board members in his letter that North was seeking to humiliate him, discredit the NRA, and 'raise appearances of impropriety that hurt our members and the Second Amendment' which gives Americans the right to keep and bear firearms.
Most militia chapters have never been linked to any crime
The Midwest has remained a stronghold for such militia activity
The Midwest is where the largest concentration of militia groups in the country continues to be
The militiamen are usually gun-toting, hard-line, right-wing Republicans
North sent board members a response to LaPierre's letter later on Thursday in which he defended himself, said his actions were for the good of the NRA, and that he was forming a crisis committee to examine financial matters inside the organization.
North, long a hero to some on the political right, was convicted in 1989 of three felonies related to the Iran-Contra affair, but his convictions were overturned on appeal in 1990.
He later became a conservative radio talk show host and frequent commentator on conservative television networks.
Inside the convention, hundreds of guests looked over firearms and accessories at the 148th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits on Saturday
Kevin Wenning watches as his son Caleb looks over a rifle in the Sig Sauer booth
The convention, which runs through Sunday, features more than 800 exhibitors and is expected to draw 80,000 guests
Sally Nolte and Stuart Cowan look over pistols in the Taurus booth at the 148th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits
Guests shop for firearms and accessories during the convention on Saturday
