NRA sues its charity arm over alleged power struggle

The NRA filed a federal lawsuit saying leaders of the NRA Foundation, allied with former CEO Wayne LaPierre, sought to seize control and repurpose about $160 million in donations. The association is seeking a jury trial and an injunction to block the foundation's use of the NRA name and trademarks; no court date has been set.

The National Rifle Association has filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., accusing leaders of the NRA Foundation — described as allies of former CEO Wayne LaPierre — of trying to seize control and repurpose roughly $160 million in donated funds. The complaint alleges the foundation's leaders sought to remove the NRA's right to appoint foundation directors, to use NRA trademarks in fundraising, and to divert money away from the association's charitable programs. The filing follows a period of financial controversy that led to LaPierre's ouster and a 2024 jury finding that some NRA executives were liable for misspending. Known details: - The lawsuit was filed Monday in U.S. federal court in Washington, D.C., and names the NRA Foundation as the defendant while alleging actions by a faction allied with Wayne LaPierre. - The NRA seeks a jury trial and is asking the court to block the foundation from using the NRA name, trademark, and logo and from repurposing charitable assets; no hearing date has been set. - The complaint refers to earlier legal and governance upheavals, including a 2024 New York jury finding against NRA executives for misspending and subsequent leadership changes. - Doug Hamlin, who replaced LaPierre as chief executive, described the lawsuit as a "last resort" taken to protect the association from what he called an attempted takeover. Summary: The filing escalates a legal dispute over control of charitable assets and the use of the NRA's name and trademarks. The NRA is pursuing a jury trial and an injunction against the foundation, and no court date has been scheduled. Undetermined at this time.