Moms for America

{{uspolitics}} {{hatnote|Not to be confused with [[Moms for Liberty]] (though both are similarly repugnant).}}
'''Moms for America''' ('''MFA'''), founded in 2004 in Dayton, Ohio, is a pro-[[Donald Trump|Trump]], non-profit {{wpl|501(c)(3) organization}} based throughout the [[United States]].<ref name="Lardner-Smith">{{cite news |last1=Lardner |first1=Richard |last2=Smith |first2=Michelle R. |title=Jan. 6 rally organizers had been on Trump campaign payroll, documents show |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-politics/article-jan-6-rally-organizers-had-been-on-trump-campaign-payroll-documents/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=The Globe and Mail |agency=The Associated Press |date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210117201202/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-politics/article-jan-6-rally-organizers-had-been-on-trump-campaign-payroll-documents/ |archive-date=17 January 2021 |location=Washington, D.C. |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="About">{{cite news |title=About |url=https://www.momsforamerica.us/about/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Moms for America |date=January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210125200725/https://www.momsforamerica.us/about/ |archive-date=17 January 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> '''Moms for America Action''' ('''MFA Action''') is the {{wpl|501(c)(4)}} political advocacy and [[lobbying]] arm of MFA.<ref>{{cite news |title=Donate today! |url=https://donate.mfaaction.com/donate-today |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Moms for America Action |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201021093634/https://donate.mfaaction.com/donate-today |archive-date=21 October 2020 |quote=Contributions to Moms For America Action are not tax {{sic|dedictible}} as we are a 501 c 4 organization. |url-status=live}}</ref>

The group has some traction in the [[wingnut]]osphere: [[Jon Voight]] headlined Moms for America's July 4, 2019 "Rally for Freedom" outside the Capitol in Washington DC,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pogue |first1=James |title=Think Trump Can't Win In 2020? These Bikers Want To Change That. |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jamespogue/bikers-for-trump-2020-campaign |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=BuzzFeed News |url-status=live |date=5 September 2019 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210117233617/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jamespogue/bikers-for-trump-2020-campaign |archive-date=17 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref> and the attorney and anti-mask US Representative {{wpl|Andy Biggs}} (R-AZ) has spoken at the group's rallies.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Anglen |first1=Robert |last2=Hansen |first2=Ronald J. |title=New videos emerge tying Andy Biggs to 'Stop the Steal,' but he's pointing to antifa |url=https://eu.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-investigations/2021/01/13/biggs-points-finger-antifa-new-videos-show-his-ties-stop-steal/6645979002/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=The Arizona Republic}}</ref>

MFA was one of several sponsors of the January 6, 2021 "March to Save America",<ref name="Documented">{{cite news |last1=Corey |first1=Jamie |title=Republican Attorneys General Dark Money Group Organized Protest Preceding Capitol Mob Attack |url=https://documented.net/2021/01/republican-attorneys-general-dark-money-group-organized-protest-preceding-capitol-mob-attack/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Documented |date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210127165751/https://documented.net/2021/01/republican-attorneys-general-dark-money-group-organized-protest-preceding-capitol-mob-attack/ |url-status=live |archive-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> the Trump rally which rejected the outcome of the [[2020 U.S. presidential election|2020 presidential election]] (which [[Donald Trump]] lost) and alleged a vast [[conspiracy]] by the [[Democrats]] to steal the election. The aggressive rhetoric used fuelled the crowd to [[2021 U.S. Capitol riot|march on the Capitol building and breach it in an attempted insurrection]].

==Kimberly Fletcher (founder)==
Kimberly Fletcher, the founder and president of Moms for America, believes she had an epiphany on [[9/11]], when her husband was stationed in the [[Pentagon]]. From there on, she became politically involved in [[right-wing]] political circles.<ref>[http://www.kimberlyfletcher.com/ Home], KimberlyFletcher.com.</ref>

=='Mexican rapist' claims==
In 2018, echoing the howling of [[xenophobe]]s to [[Secure the border|secure the US–Mexico border]], Fletcher and co. organized a group visit to the border. She told ''[[TheBlaze]]'' in an interview that [[sexual assault]] was common during border crossings, mentioning the alleged [[rape]] of a 6-year-old girl by 30 men.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pruet |first1=Jana J. |title='Moms Caravan' travels to the Texas-Mexico border for a look at the effects of illegal immigration |url=https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/11/06/moms-caravan-travels-to-the-texas-mexico-border-for-a-look-at-the-effects-of-illegal-immigration |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=TheBlaze |date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129154812/https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/11/06/moms-caravan-travels-to-the-texas-mexico-border-for-a-look-at-the-effects-of-illegal-immigration |archive-date=29 November 2019 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref> Upon realising that the claim was [[bullshit]] and [[PIDOOMA|pulled directly ''ex ano'']], ''TheBlaze'' retracted its story:

{{quotebox|The original version of this story reported a claim made by Moms For America President Kimberly Fletcher concerning a girl who had allegedly been found by border security agents with "DNA from 30 men inside her young body." This claim has been made by numerous individuals on social media but TheBlaze has been unable to independently verify the factual accuracy of the claim.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Valverde |first1=Miriam |title=No evidence for claim about a 6-year-old girl found at U.S.-Mexico border 'raped by 30 men' |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2018/dec/19/blog-posting/no-evidence-claim-about-6-year-old-girl-found-us-m/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=PolitiFact |date=19 December 2018}}</ref>}}

==2020 presidential election==
{{main|2020 U.S. presidential election}}
On November 1, 2020, MFA staged a rally outside the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]], encouraging the 'right people' (Trumpists) to vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hinton |first1=Justin |title=Early voting ends in Virginia as supporters on both sides push for Election Day turnout |url=https://wjla.com/news/local/early-voting-ends-virginia-supporters-push-election-day-turnout |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=WJLA |date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201102100023/https://wjla.com/news/local/early-voting-ends-virginia-supporters-push-election-day-turnout |archive-date=2 November 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Fletcher has promoted Trump's baseless accusations of widespread voter fraud in U.S. elections since Trump started making them in 2016<ref>{{cite news |last1=Corn |first1=David |title=Sponsors of the pre-attack rally have taken down their websites. Don't forget who they were. |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/01/sponsors-of-the-pre-attack-rally-have-taken-down-their-websites-dont-forget-who-they-were/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Mother Jones |date=12 January 2021}}</ref> and encouraged people to attend the December 12, 2020 "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington DC, which also propagated these [[lie]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zionts |first1=Arielle |title=Noem meeting with Trump on Monday instead of voting for him in Electoral College |url=https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/noem-meeting-with-trump-on-monday-instead-of-voting-for-him-in-electoral-college/article_ccbf4368-c69f-59a3-ba3c-a0abc245f25e.html |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Rapid City Journal Media Group |date=14 December 2020 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210119185611/https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/noem-meeting-with-trump-on-monday-instead-of-voting-for-him-in-electoral-college/article_ccbf4368-c69f-59a3-ba3c-a0abc245f25e.html |archive-date=19 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

===Save the Republic Rally===
On January 5, 2021, the day before [[Congress]] met for the {{wpl|2021 United States Electoral College vote count|counting of Electoral College votes|,}} MFA held a "Save the Republic Rally" at Area 9 on Capitol grounds, across from the {{wpl|Russell Senate Office Building||.}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Save the Republic Rally – Moms for America |url=https://www.momsforamerica.us/save-the-republic-rally/ |website=Moms for America |access-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210122164808/https://www.momsforamerica.us/save-the-republic-rally/ |archive-date=22 January 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> The event drew ~500 people and cost $13,000 to $14,000.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lardner |first1=Richard |last2=Smith |first2=Michelle R. |title=Records: Trump allies behind rally that ignited Capitol riot |url=https://www.kwtx.com/2021/01/18/records-trump-allies-behind-rally-that-ignited-capitol-riot/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=KWTX |agency=The Associated Press |date=18 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

During the rally, Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-IL) issued a statement wherein she said: "[[Hitler]] was right on one thing. He said, whoever has the youth has the future." (Yes, the phrase "Hitler was right" was actually in her prepared remarks!)<ref>{{cite news |title=Illinois Congresswoman Says 'Hitler Was Right on One Thing' |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-congresswoman-says-hitler-was-right-on-one-thing/2409325/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=NBC Chicago |date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210122162228/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-congresswoman-says-hitler-was-right-on-one-thing/2409325/ |archive-date=22 January 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Eddy |first1=Melissa |title=Amid the Rampage at the U.S. Capitol, a Sweatshirt Stirs Troubling Memories |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/08/world/europe/us-capitol-rampage-camp-auschwitz.html |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=8 January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210126140946/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/08/world/europe/us-capitol-rampage-camp-auschwitz.html |archive-date=26 January 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Unsurprisingly, many groups and politicians strongly condemned the comment, harshly criticized Miller, and exhorted the [[GOP]] to do likewise. Public statements were issued by the {{wpl|U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum||,}} [[Anti-Defamation League]], {{wpl|World Jewish Congress||,}} and multiple lawmakers.<ref>Multiple sources:
*{{cite news |last1=Donovan |first1=Lisa |last2=Petrella |first2=Dan |title=Days after she was sworn in, Illinois US Rep. Mary Miller facing criticism for invoking Adolf Hitler during speech in Washington |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-mary-miller-congresswoman-hitler-one-thing-right-speech-20210106-wdryhnfyfbetfbyi6ef7lpmlgm-story.html |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210120224252/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-mary-miller-congresswoman-hitler-one-thing-right-speech-20210106-wdryhnfyfbetfbyi6ef7lpmlgm-story.html |archive-date=20 January 2021 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last1=Maxwell |first1=Mark |title=Duckworth calls on Congresswoman Miller to resign for quoting Hitler |url=https://wgntv.com/news/duckworth-calls-on-congresswoman-miller-to-resign-for-quoting-hitler/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=WGN-TV |date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210110125814/https://wgntv.com/news/duckworth-calls-on-congresswoman-miller-to-resign-for-quoting-hitler/ |archive-date=10 January 2021 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Steve |title=Illinois congresswoman's reference to Hitler condemned by Gov. Pritzker |url=https://www.radio.com/wbbm780/news/local/illinois-congresswoman-says-hitler-right-on-one-thing |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=WBBM Newsradio |date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210128104858/https://www.radio.com/wbbm780/news/local/illinois-congresswoman-says-hitler-right-on-one-thing |archive-date=28 January 2021 |language=en |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last1=Samuels |first1=Ben |title=Republican congresswoman at pro-Trump rally near U.S. Capitol: 'Hitler was right' |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-republican-congresswoman-at-pro-trump-rally-near-u-s-capitol-hitler-was-right-1.9429486 |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Haaretz |date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106192030if_/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-republican-congresswoman-at-pro-trump-rally-near-u-s-capitol-hitler-was-right-1.9429486 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |location=Washington DC |language=en |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Lyndsay |last2=Maxwell |first2=Mark |title=Lawmakers, governor condemn Rep. Mary Miller's 'Hitler was right on one thing' comment |url=https://www.wcia.com/news/politics/lawmakers-governor-condemn-rep-mary-millers-hitler-was-right-on-one-thing-comment/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=WCIA |date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://www.wcia.com/news/politics/lawmakers-governor-condemn-rep-mary-millers-hitler-was-right-on-one-thing-comment/ |archive-date=25 January 2021 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last1=Budryk |first1=Zack |title=Newly sworn-in Republican lawmaker condemned by Holocaust Museum after Hitler quote |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/533089-newly-sworn-in-republican-lawmaker-condemned-by-holocaust-museum-for-hitler |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=TheHill |date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/533089-newly-sworn-in-republican-lawmaker-condemned-by-holocaust-museum-for-hitler |archive-date=9 January 2021|page=9 January 2021 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref> However, Fletcher defended Miller's remarks, saying "Hitler also said, 'Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it'. … The media should focus on the truth instead of relentlessly repeating [[big lie]]s",<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tareen |first1=Sophia |title=Watch now: More demand Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller resign over Hitler remark |url=https://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/watch-now-more-demand-illinois-u-s-rep-mary-miller-resign-over-hitler-remark/article_46742853-bdd3-5c9c-9be8-60bab4988bd8.html |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=The Pantagraph |agency=The Associated Press |date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210114171228/https://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/watch-now-more-demand-illinois-u-s-rep-mary-miller-resign-over-hitler-remark/article_46742853-bdd3-5c9c-9be8-60bab4988bd8.html |archive-date=14 January 2021 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref> apparently completely unaware of the [[irony]] of the insurrection being fomented by Trump based on the biggest lie of them all.

===Storming of the U.S. Capitol===
{{main|2021 U.S. Capitol riot}}
Moms for America was listed as one of several sponsors of the January 6, 2021, "March to Save America", alongside right-wing groups such as [[Tea Party movement|Tea Party Patriots]], {{wpl|Stop the Steal||,}} {{wpl|WildProtest.com||,}} [[Charlie Kirk|Turning Point Action]], [[Eagle Forum|Phyllis Schlafly Eagles]], {{wpl|Rule of Law Defense Fund||,}} {{wpl|Women for America First||,}} {{wpl|Peaceably Gather||,}} the {{wpl|Eighty Percent Coalition||,}} {{wpl|Black Conservatives Fund||,}} and {{wpl|Contribute (political group)|Contribute|.}}<ref name="Documented"/> This was the rally, headed by then-President Trump, which led to the [[2021 U.S. Capitol riot|storming]] of the United States Capitol that day.

Fletcher and MFA Vice-President Debbie Kraulidis were both present at the storming, and praised the rioters who overran the Capitol building.<ref>Fletcher:
*{{cite news |last1=Read |first1=Richard |last2=Hennessy-Fiske |first2=Molly |last3=Chabria |first3=Anita |title=Far-right extremists want to target more capitols, but are divided after D.C. riot |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-01-08/dc-riot-was-just-the-start-of-what-a-fractured-insurrectionist-movement-is-plotting |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=8 January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210126170645/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-01-08/dc-riot-was-just-the-start-of-what-a-fractured-insurrectionist-movement-is-plotting |archive-date=26 January 2021 |url-status=live}}
Kraulidis:
*{{cite news |last1=Polito |first1=Vicky |title=Will County Board Member Debbie Kraulidis Must Resign |url=https://patch.com/illinois/plainfield/will-county-board-member-debbie-kraulidis-must-resign |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Plainfield, IL Patch |date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210121060550if_/https://patch.com/illinois/plainfield/will-county-board-member-debbie-kraulidis-must-resign |archive-date=21 January 2021 |url-status=live |language=en}}
*{{cite news |last1=Ortiz |first1=Alex |title=Will County Board member attended pro-Trump rally in Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/government/2021/01/07/will-county-board-member-attended-pro-trump-rally-in-washington-dc/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |url-status=live |work=Shaw Local |date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210108083921/https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/government/2021/01/07/will-county-board-member-attended-pro-trump-rally-in-washington-dc/ |archive-date=8 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==Funding (as of Jan. 2021)==
As of January 21, 2021, Moms for America was listed on AmazonSmile, Amazon's donations platform, and uses PayPal to receive donations, despite these companies claiming to be halting business with the attempted insurrectionists.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Teddy |last2=Ferreira |first2=Lou |title=Revealed: US Capitol protesters are still fundraising via Amazon and PayPal |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/revealed-us-capitol-protesters-are-still-fundraising-amazon-and-paypal/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=openDemocracy |date=15 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dellinger |first1=A. J. |title=Amazon and PayPal are still being used to raise funds by Capitol rioters |url=https://www.mic.com/p/capitol-rioters-were-fundraising-through-amazon-paypal-after-the-insurrection-58155382 |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Mic |date=21 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:2020 election denialists]]
[[Category:2020 US presidential election]]
[[Category:2021 U.S. coup attempt]]
[[Category:Alt-lite]]
[[Category:Crank magnetism]]
[[Category:Crime]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theories]]
[[Category:Government incompetence]]
[[Category:Homophobia]]
[[Category:Misnomers]]
[[Category:Ohio]]
[[Category:Racism]]
[[Category:Sexism]]
[[Category:Terrorism]]
[[Category:Trumpism]]
[[Category:United States politics]]

Categories: 2020 election denialists, 2020 US presidential election, 2021 U.S. coup attempt, Alt-lite, Crank magnetism, Crime, Conspiracy theories, Government incompetence, Homophobia, Misnomers, Ohio, Racism, Sexism, Terrorism, Trumpism, United States politics