These affluent suburbanites seemed unlikely revolutionaries, but they illustrate the resurgence of right-wing extremism in Orange County at a time when major demographic shifts have turned the region from a deep-red bastion into a more racially and politically diverse community. “There’s no doubt, Orange County is among the top of the list,” he said. Hostetter’s speeches were so thickly woven with QAnon meta-conspiracy that he was invited to speak at an October Q conference in Arizona, organized by another Orange County resident. The Orange County attorney has previously taken on political stunt cases, such as pressing the “birther” claim against President Obama. Smith said he became separated from his Orange County compatriots and did not enter the Capitol grounds.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 21, 2021 15:06 UTC