Wayne LaPierre wins reelection at NRA amid leadership crisis

Wayne LaPierre reportedly defeated a leadership challenge to win reelection as the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) CEO on Monday.

Retired Col. Oliver North announced Saturday that he would not be running for reelection to his role as NRA president amid a failed attempt to force LaPierre out of leadership. LaPierre claimed North had tried to extort him into resigning under threat of releasing information about alleged financial improprieties within the organization as well as allegations that LaPierre charged thousands of dollars in wardrobe purchases to his expense account.

{mosads}President Trump, who addressed the NRA convention Friday, had earlier Monday urged the group on Twitter to “get its act together quickly [and] stop the internal fighting.”

LaPierre, who has been with the group for decades, was reelected unanimously and unopposed, the NRA announced on its American Rifleman website.

“I am humbled by the Board’s vote of confidence and its support of my vision for the future,” LaPierre said, according to American Rifleman. “Together, we will continue to serve our members and advocate for all who believe in the fight to defend our Second Amendment freedom.”

Carolyn Meadows has been elected as the gun lobby’s next president.

The NRA recently sued Ackerman McQueen, its longtime public relations firm, accusing it of refusing to provide documentation about the NRA’s billings to an outside law firm amid increased scrutiny from New York authorities.

Ackerman McQueen operates NRATV, an online channel that frequently wades into issues not directly related to guns, which the NRA says in the lawsuit has raised eyebrows among some members, according to The Associated Press.

The leadership crisis came around the same time New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) announced an investigation into the NRA’s tax-exempt status over the weekend.