You’d Think They’d Know Better, But These Politicians Committed The Wildest Crimes Of The 20th Century

William Langer Locked Himself Away

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When William Langer was elected as North Dakota governor in 1932, he required all state employees to donate part of their salaries to the Nonpartisan League and to a weekly paper owned by high-ranking officials in Langer’s administration. Although this was common in many states, the federal government became concerned when donations were made by highway department employees who were funded through federal relief programs. This was seen as a conspiracy to defraud the federal government and by 1934, Langer was found guilty and was ordered removed from office. However, Langer barricaded himself in his office, declared North Dakota independent, and declared martial law until the Supreme Court would meet with him.