Michele Fiore's Pardon Is An Insult To Law Enforcement Officers
Nevada Judge and Bundy Standoff Supporter Stole $70,000 from Fallen Officer’s Charity to Fund Cosmetic Surgery Before Receiving a Presidential Pardon
On a scorching June afternoon in 2014, Las Vegas police officers Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo sat down for lunch at a CiCi’s Pizza in the quiet sprawl of suburban Nevada. It was a typical day in the sun-baked city, the kind where families ran errands and officers grabbed a quick meal before returning to their shifts. But in a flash, that ordinary afternoon became the site of an unspeakable act of domestic terror—an eruption of violence that would leave both men dead and a community forever scarred. Jerad and Amanda Miller, radicalized far-right extremists, burst into the restaurant and executed the officers in cold blood. Officer Beck, a dedicated husband and father of three, died alongside his partner, their sacrifice brutally mocked when the killers draped the fallen officer’s body with the Gadsden flag, bearing the words "Don't Tread on Me."
What happened that day was not an isolated incident of violence but likely a direct consequence of extremist propaganda spread by figures like Nevada politician Michele Fiore, Idaho Representative Heather Scott, and former Washington legislator Matt Shea. These individuals had long advocated for violent defiance against government authority, their rhetoric disguised as patriotism while undermining public safety and law enforcement.
Michele Fiore openly embraced this radical stance, referring to militia members who participated in the armed standoff as “freedom fighters.” She went further, explicitly urging law enforcement personnel “not to obey your superiors when given a direct order to attack your fellow Americans fighting for the freedoms granted to us by our constitution.” Her dangerous message blurred the lines between lawful protest and armed rebellion, likely setting the stage for the deadly consequences that followed.
Fiore’s complicity went beyond mere words. The Millers had attended the infamous 2014 Bundy Ranch standoff, drawn by incendiary calls for armed resistance that Fiore herself championed alongside Cliven Bundy and Matt Shea. Shea, notably, authored the chilling manifesto, "Biblical Basis for War," explicitly calling followers to violence: “If they don’t submit, kill all the males.” Heather Scott, operating secretly as "Rep. Greenbean," echoed these calls, helping fuel the extremist fervor that ultimately erupted into deadly action. Fiore, Shea, and Scott all supported the Bundy armed standoff against law enforcement officers in Nevada.
In a grotesque betrayal, Fiore later embezzled funds intended to honor Officer Beck's memory.
Over $70,000 in donations meant to celebrate Beck’s life and sacrifice were shamelessly diverted for Fiore’s expenses, including cosmetic surgery and her daughter’s lavish wedding. Despite this despicable misappropriation of funds, Fiore publicly claimed unwavering support for law enforcement, cynically waving Blue Line flags while privately benefiting from the very tragedy her extremist ideology had helped provoke.
Fiore was convicted on multiple felony counts for the fraudulent use of the charity funds.
Last week, Fiore received a pardon from President Trump—a troubling act revealing the dark alliances and twisted loyalty within the far-right movement. Trump’s pardon highlighted the disturbing reality: individuals who sow violence, exploit tragedies, and betray public trust can find absolution through political connections and blind loyalty.
Fiore cast the pardon in explicitly biblical terms. Her statement opened with a phrase lifted directly from the book of Isaiah: “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” She confidently announced her intent to reclaim her role as a judge in Pahrump, NV, despite lacking any formal legal education. “On Monday, I will walk back into my courtroom as the elected justice of the peace—not because man permitted it, but because God ordained it,” Fiore declared, intertwining her extremist rhetoric with religious justification to further legitimize her disturbing return to power.
She was unapologetic about stealing from Officer Beck’s memorial. She never apologized to Beck’s children, whose father was murdered by followers of Fiore and Bundy’s rhetoric.
Like most extremists invested in cult-like abusive behavior, Fiore never took responsibility for her despicable behavior and doubled down on her victim status.
Fiore's record of scandal extends far beyond embezzlement. As a Las Vegas City Councilwoman, she said, “my white ass is more qualified than somebody’s black ass,” leading even her local Republican party to denounce her publicly. Yet, despite repeated exposure of her hateful rhetoric, Fiore continued to leverage her notoriety, supported by powerful networks that bridged Nevada and Idaho. These networks, notably funded by Don Ahern of Ahern Rentals and managed by Rory McShane, who is known for employing Proud Boys and backing white nationalist candidates, have impacted Idaho politics, boosting figures such as former Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin and multiple candidates supported by the Idaho Freedom Foundation.
Idaho itself is no stranger to such cynical exploitation. Recently, the family of fallen Ada County Deputy Tobin Bolter publicly rebuked another grifter who attempted to capitalize on their tragedy, mirroring Fiore's shameful actions. This disturbing trend reveals a consistent strategy: publicly pledge allegiance to law enforcement while privately exploiting tragedies for personal gain.
Fiore’s pardon is more than just another political scandal—it is an indictment of an extremist movement hiding behind false patriotism. Trump’s decision to pardon Fiore should alarm Idahoans, who must now grapple with the uncomfortable truth that this is precisely the individual their political network has elevated.
Idaho conservatives and Republicans must decide what values they truly represent. Do they stand behind the thin blue line of genuine law enforcement, honor, and duty—or will they allow their symbols and ideals to be corrupted by cynical extremists, racists, and opportunistic grifters?
The Gadsden flag draped over Officer Beck's body was more than a ghoulish act—it was symbolic of the ultimate betrayal of American ideals. Michele Fiore, employing the same deceitful playbook as Idaho’s so-called "conservative" legislators, has spent years cultivating dangerous rhetoric, supporting extremist candidates like Ammon Bundy, and manipulating patriotic imagery to hide corruption and greed.
Idaho Republicans now face a stark decision: align with genuine defenders of law enforcement and justice, or remain entangled with figures who exploit tragedy, dishonor actual conservative values, and endanger the lives of law enforcement officers.
About the Author
Gregory Graf is the creator of Political Potatoes and a lifelong conservative Republican. His articles often criticize the hypocrisy committed by far-right grifters who’ve taken control of the GOP. Graf is the CEO of Snake River Strategies, a strategic communications and political consulting firm based in Eagle, Idaho. You can follow Graf’s work on X, Threads, or Facebook.
Disclaimer
The following is intended to convey an opinion on newsworthy events of public concern regarding public figures and/or public officials in exercising their official duties. No implications or inferences—beyond those explicitly stated in the preceding— are intended to be conveyed or endorsed by the Author. Wherever available, hyperlinks have been provided to allow readers to directly access any underlying assertions of fact upon which this opinion is based.
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This makes me angry beyond belief. When will people in Idaho wake up and see the vermin that exist among us.
Thank you Greg for sharing this information.
EXCERPT: "Fiore’s pardon is more than just another political scandal—it is an indictment of an extremist movement hiding behind false patriotism."
I suppose if Trump pardons 1600 convicted insurrectionists, one more can't be bad?? We all need to hear this type of thing so when it happens again--and it will--we won't waste time muttering, "This can't be right!"