Wayne LaPierre Resigns as NRA Leader Days Before Civil Trial

Wayne LaPierre, the longstanding leader of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), known for his unwavering advocacy of the Second Amendment, has announced his resignation as the civil trial against him looms on the horizon.

In an official statement released on Friday, the NRA disclosed that LaPierre will step down from his roles as executive vice president and chief executive officer, with the resignation becoming effective on January 31. Andrew Arulanandam, an NRA executive and head of general operations, is set to assume the position of interim CEO and executive vice president.

LaPierre, who has championed the rights of firearms owners and manufacturers for decades, expressed pride in the accomplishments of the NRA but did not delve into the specifics of his resignation. "With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA," he said. "My passion for our cause burns as deeply as ever."

The timing of LaPierre's resignation is noteworthy as it precedes a civil trial scheduled to begin on Monday. In 2020, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit seeking to dissolve the NRA, alleging violations of non-profit laws, misappropriation of funds for personal use, and tax fraud.

The lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court, names not only LaPierre but also General Counsel and Secretary John Frazer, former Chief Financial Officer Wilson “Woody” Phillips, and former Chief of Staff and Executive Director of General Operations Josh Powell.

The NRA responded with a countersuit in federal court, claiming that the attorney general's actions infringe on the organization's right to free speech and pose a threat to its stability.

NRA President Carolyn Meadows criticized the lawsuit as a "baseless premeditated attack on our organization and the Second Amendment freedoms it fights to defend," describing it as a politically motivated move against the leading voice opposing the leftist agenda.

In the ongoing legal battle, James contends that the NRA's leadership, both current and former, engaged in self-dealing mismanagement, causing the organization to incur significant financial losses. The trial is expected to shed light on allegations of financial impropriety and misuse of charitable assets.

As this story continues to unfold, updates will be provided.