SEQUIM — Fellow Sequim City Council members declined to take action against Mayor William Armacost after some residents urged them to do so in light of his on-air support for QAnon and his August vacation trip to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Some who participated in Monday’s virtual council meeting, or who had sent in emails, called for Armacost to resign or, if he would not, for the council to remove him.
Armacost said nothing during the meeting until near its end when he commented that he was always willing to listen.
City Council members opted not to take action, saying it was a matter of free speech and free will.
Armacost had answered a question called into the Coffee with the Mayor program Aug. 27 on KSQM 91.5 FM. He encouraged people to investigate QAnon, calling it a “movement that encourages you to think for yourself,” describing adherents as “patriots,” and directing listeners to a YouTube video on the theory that ends in promoting President Donald Trump, who is running for a second term.
According to media reports, QAnon is a set of conspiracy theories embraced by Trump that allege that the “deep state” is running the world and that Trump can fix it.
Armacost later apologized via a press release about sharing his beliefs as a city representative.
Council member Sarah Kincaid said Monday night she read the emails against Armacost and felt people were complaining about his personal life rather than his actions as mayor.
Kincaid noted that some have complained about his Sturgis trip and demanded he quarantine following his return, but that it would be hypocritical to not ask the same of all residents who travel off the North Olympic Peninsula.
“The idea that we have an ‘Idea Police’ in Sequim is frightening,” she said.
“Every name I recognize (in the emails) would consider themselves a liberal,” she added. “How liberal are you if you would stifle all speech other than your own?”
According to Kevin Roose’s New York Times profile of the organization, “QAnon is the umbrella term for a sprawling set of internet conspiracy theories that allege, falsely, that the world is run by a cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles who are plotting against Mr. Trump while operating a global child sex-trafficking ring.”
Further, the Times reports, some QAnon followers also believe that, “in addition to molesting children, members of this group kill and eat their victims in order to extract a life-extending chemical from their blood.”
Council member Brandon Janisse said he didn’t have an issue with what Armacost said, but rather, “it’s where he said it.”
Janisse said he was concerned about a negative light being placed on the city.
Public comments Monday were both for and against Armacost.
Sequim resident Karen Hogan phoned into public comments asking for Armacost to resign or for council members to remove him.
Hogan said Armacost used his position to promote a presidential candidate and anti-semitic propaganda, and she said his response to an Aug. 19 Sequim Gazette letter to the editor about his attending Sturgis was “more like the lunatic ravings of a cult leader than an elected official.”
She said Armacost’s “opinions about public health are based on a profound misunderstanding of the immune system and conspiracy theories that have no basis in reality.
“You, of course, have the right to your opinions and beliefs, but as mayor you have an obligation to protect the health and welfare of Sequim residents and follow the law,” Hogan said.
Karen Grayheck of Sequim disagreed with Hogan, saying Armacost has stood up for democracy in Washington state and Sequim.
“He knows the constitution, and he abides by the constitution,” she said.
“He honors people of all nationalities. This is a man who should not be removed from city council. I encourage the other council members to remember what he has accomplished and all the positives and to stand behind your mayor.”
Deputy Mayor Tom Ferrell said in his seven-plus months on the council, he’s found his interactions with Armacost to be apolitical with no mention of conspiracies.
“His decisions have been mainstream and reasonable, and his dialogue has been appropriate and professional,” he said.
As for QAnon, he said he doesn’t plan to look it up but felt that freedom of speech applies with it and the mayor.
In reference to Armacost’s recent trip to Sturgis — an event that some researchers have called a “superspreader” of the COVID-19 virus — Ferrell said hopes everyone takes care of themselves anywhere they go.
“It’s important to trust the people in our community,” he said.
Ferrell asked council members and staff to “remember it may cause a lot of work on the seven members of the council” when commenting on something controversial.
“We all have to deal with this. We’re all getting behind because of emails,” he said.
As for the emails they’ve received on Armacost, Ferrell said they felt like a “gotcha format,” and he can’t read them anymore.
“I have to get back to business,” he said.
“I want you all to understand. I’ve said this since Day One. There are 7,860 people in this town. I’m guessing almost all of them want us to get back to business.
“Be productive and focus on economic development and safety: that’s going to be my focus.”
