Torture Memo Author Attends Mock Convention
As COSA moves forward with two new endorsements in 2023 and the swearing-in of new Speaker Johnson, the movement to rewrite the Constitution takes on the upcoming legislative and election year.
In August, the Convention of States Action (COSA) held its second official mock or, as they call it, “Simulated” Convention. Eight years ago, just before the 2016 Presidential Election, COSA held its first mock convention. At both convention rehearsals, the majority of attendees were current state lawmakers. However, a handful of “state” commissioners at this event were not lawmakers but employees of right-wing media outlets and think tanks. Most of the non-law-making individuals came from one organization, the Heritage Foundation. Five operatives from the Heritage Foundation attended this dress rehearsal, sitting as a state commissioner. One attendee, John Malcolm, represented the state of North Carolina at this convention. Malcolm is not an elected official; he is the Vice President of the Heritage Foundation.
In October, the foundation’s president, Kevin Roberts, Ph., recently endorsed a movement attempting to rewrite the Constitution. The Convention of States Action is a far-right political organization lobbying for a constitutional convention. Robert’s endorsement of this fringe to mainstream movement is a concerning development. The October endorsement is very timely because Rep. Mike Johnson was sworn in as the new House Speaker later that month. Johnson, who endorsed the movement, helped pass the resolution to call a convention when he was a Louisiana state representative. Speaker Johnson has the power to set the agenda, which gives him the power to ensure a resolution calling for a convention meets the chamber floor. Other private attendees were affiliated with three other organizations: the Texas Public Policy, the Federalist Society, and Campus Reform.
Another mock convention attendee affiliated with the Heritage Foundation and Federalist Society is Steven “Steve” G. Bradbury. If that name sounds familiar, it should. Bradbury is one of the authors behind the torture memos from 2008. Think Waterboarding. In 2017, Bradbury was also nominated for a position by former President Trump. In January 2021, he became the Acting Secretary of the Department of Transportation. At this convention, Bradbury, who was not an elected official, was sitting as a commissioner representing the state of Virginia.
As I predicted, in the summer of 2023, the next step for this movement will be filing a lawsuit to force Congress to call a convention. After the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) October conference, Exposed by CMD, a political watchdog, uncovered that speakers and attendees plan for a lawsuit. Advocates are planning for state attorney generals and governors to sue and force Congress to call a convention through a higher court. As the 2024 election gets closer, the convention’s campaign strategy will center on galvanizing its base to vote for a convention. Advocates will campaign under the guise of needing to ‘check’ Congress by forcing them to uphold their obligation outlined in Article V.