Dan Cox, a Republican candidate for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, has accused President Joseph R. Biden Jr. of intimidation following a series of low-flying Black Hawk helicopters over his home on Friday, March 1, 2024.
His allegations came hours after he publicly criticized President Biden on X, formerly known as Twitter, regarding the arrest of libertarian columnist Steven Baker.
In a Facebook post, Cox, a constitutional lawyer, vehemently criticized the Biden administration for what he termed the “tyrannical arresting” of Brown [Baker], asserting that the subsequent overflights were a direct response designed to intimidate him and his family.
“How dare he! Send Biden a message: we will never be intimidated by his tyranny,” Cox wrote, urging his followers to support his congressional campaign as a stand against the president’s alleged actions.
Cox’s social media post is below.
Baker, a musician and libertarian writer who contributes to the conservative online publication The Blaze, was arrested on charges related to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, as reported by NBC News.
In his social media post criticizing Mr. Biden, Cox incorrectly identified the individual arrested as Steve Brown. It has been confirmed that the correct name of the individual in question is Steven Baker.
President Biden’s Weekend Plans: Camp David
President Biden’s public schedule for March 1, 2024, indicated a departure from the White House at 5:45 p.m., arriving at Camp David at 6:15 p.m.
Mr. Biden will remain at Camp David over the weekend and return to the White House on Tuesday, March 5.
Below is a video of Mr. Biden speaking to reporters on March 1, 2024, before departing for Camp David.
Dan Cox Lives 12 Minutes Away from Camp David
Camp David, located approximately six miles (about 12 minutes) from Cox’s residence in Cascade, Maryland, serves as a presidential retreat and has been a venue for significant political discussions and international negotiations throughout its history.
The graphic below shows Mr. Cox’s Cascade home in proximity to Camp David.
The Arrest of Steven Baker
Steven Baker, identified as a musician and libertarian writer for Glenn Beck’s “The Blaze” and former lead singer of a David Bowie tribute band, was arrested on Friday, March 1, on misdemeanor charges related to his participation in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Baker, who voluntarily turned himself in to federal authorities in Texas, faces charges that are consistent with those levied against many other lower-level defendants involved in the Capitol insurrection attack.
Mr. Cox organized buses to Washington, D.C., on the day of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and tweeted that former Vice President Mike Pence was a “traitor” during the insurrection.
The decision to arrest and charge Baker was based on Mr. Baker’s actions and statements during the Jan. 6 events, as detailed in an FBI affidavit.
This document cites Baker’s regret for not stealing government property during the Capitol riot and his expressed approval of the day’s events.
The legal proceedings against Baker, like those against other defendants connected to Jan. 6, result from law enforcement investigations and the judicial process.
Over the past three years following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C. reports that federal authorities have indicted over 1,265 individuals from almost every state, including D.C., resulting in over 460 incarcerations.
Dan Cox’s Misattribution of President Biden’s Involvement
There is no evidence to support Mr. Cox’s claim that President Biden personally ordered or was involved in the arrest of Steve Baker.
The process of arresting and charging individuals involved in the Jan. 6 riot is conducted by federal law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, based on evidence and legal standards, not at the behest of an American president.
Mr. Baker is pictured below on Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol insurrection.
The independence of the judicial system and law enforcement agencies from direct presidential intervention is a cornerstone of the American legal system.
Cox’s assertion that Black Hawk helicopters flew over his home as an act of intimidation by President Biden in response to his criticism lacks corroborative evidence.
The proximity of Cox’s residence to Camp David, a routine destination for presidential travel, may explain the presence of military helicopters in the area.
There is no substantiated connection between the flight patterns of these helicopters and Cox’s political statements.
Mr. Cox recorded himself in a Facebook video chastising Mr. Biden for directing Black Hawk helicopters to fly over his home.
The Maryland politics blog, The Duckpin, preserved the footage by uploading it to YouTube after Cox removed his original post and video by 10:10 p.m. that Friday.
Examining Dan Cox’s Controversial Statements and Actions Over the Years
Mr. Cox, a former Maryland state lawmaker representing Frederick County, has made several past statements and participated in activities that have raised eyebrows and drawn significant criticism and scorn.
His political journey is marked by controversies that extend far beyond his recent allegations against President Biden.
Here’s a closer look at Dan Cox’s more contentious claims and actions over the years.
Election Denial and Conspiracy Theories
A consistent theme in Cox’s public statements is his denial of the 2020 presidential election results.
Aligning with a broad and growing faction of the Republican Party that contests the legitimacy of President Biden’s 2020 presidential victory, Cox has positioned himself as a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump’s claims of electoral fraud.
Mr. Trump supported Dan Cox’s failed 2022 gubernatorial bid. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, defeated Cox in the November general election.
Moreover, no substantiated evidence supports claims of widespread voter fraud influencing the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in favor of Joe Biden.
Investigations and audits conducted across various states have consistently affirmed the integrity and accuracy of the 2020 presidential election results.
This stance has not only defined Mr. Cox’s political identity but also aligned him with a broader national movement among MAGA Republicans who question the integrity of the United States electoral process.
Dan Cox’s January 6 Capitol Attack Involvement
Mr. Cox’s involvement with the Jan. 6 events adds a controversial chapter to his political narrative.
As a relatively unknown state legislator, Cox organized transportation for supporters to Washington, D.C., on the day of the Capitol attack.
This action, tied directly to one of the most tumultuous days in recent American history, highlights Cox’s deep involvement with efforts to contest the 2020 election results.
Dan Cox’s Engagement with Conspiracy Theories
Further entrenching his alignment with fringe elements within the GOP, Cox attended a conference in Pennsylvania that propagated the baseless and widely debunked QAnon conspiracy theory, which claims a “global Satanic blood cult” involving prominent Democrats is engaged in ritual child abuse.
This endorsement of a conspiracy theory represents a significant divergence from mainstream political discourse and illustrates the extremities of Cox’s political affiliations.
Dan Cox’s Ties with Extremist Groups
Mr. Cox’s cozy interactions with far-right political extremist groups have also come under scrutiny.
Following his 2022 victory in Maryland’s Republican primary for governor, a video surfaced of Cox’s Thurmont victory party showing him accepting a gift from a member of the Proud Boys, an extremist group associated with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
The exchange featured a young man presenting Mr. Cox with a “Proud Boys comb,” leaving Cox perplexed.
Despite the apparent surprise, this incident underscored the troubling associations between Dan Cox and groups linked to political violence and extremism.
Response to Criticism
Amidst the controversies, Mr. Cox has faced a barrage of criticism from within his own party, including from Maryland’s then-Governor Larry Hogan, who has publicly questioned Cox’s mental stability and suitability for office.
Cox, in turn, has dismissed such critiques as “smear antics,” choosing instead to double down on his positions and maintain the support of his base.
The 2024 Maryland 6th Congressional District Republican Primary
Mr. Cox is challenged by a diverse group of Republican candidates, including Chris Hyser, former State Delegate Neil C. Parrott, Todd A. Puglisi, Air Force veteran Mariela Roca, Navy veteran Tom Royals, and former State Delegate Brenda J. Thiam.
The winner of the Republican primary will advance to the general election, setting the stage for a pivotal contest against the Democratic nominee in Maryland’s most competitive congressional race.
Early voting for the primary is scheduled from Thursday, May 2, 2024, through Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Maryland’s primary Election Day is slated for May 14, 2024, where polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
