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NRA President Forced Out Amid Leadership Fight

President Donald Trump addresses the National Rifle Association’s annual convention in Indianapolis, Ind., April 26, 2019.
President Donald Trump addresses the National Rifle Association’s annual convention in Indianapolis, Ind., April 26, 2019.

Amid an internal struggle over the direction of the National Rifle Association (NRA), the group’s president Lt. Col. Oliver North (ret.) announced at the NRA’s annual convention that he would not seek another term.

In a letter read to members of the group Saturday, North advocated for a review of NRA finances and said he had been pushed out.

— Timothy Johnson (@timothywjohnson) April 27, 2019

North’s announcement comes after an effort by some members of the group to oust longtime NRA chief executive Wayne LaPierre.

LaPierre, who has long held sway as a leading gun rights advocate, said this week that North had tried to push him out by threatening to release damaging information about him to the board, according to the Associated Press.

Additionally, The Daily Beast has reported that the NRA board’s lawyer, Steve Hart, has been suspended, and New York’s Attorney General has opened an investigation into the NRA’s tax-exempt status.

The leadership struggle highlights a turbulent time at the NRA, as the group deals with reported financial difficulties, accusations of financial wrongdoing, and the threat of increased scrutiny by regulators.

LaPierre spoke to the convention shortly after NRA board member Richard Childress read the statement from North. LaPierre was met with a standing ovation.

The NRA Board is slated to meet on Monday.

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