The New Mexico group Cowboys for Trump now says that iconic gypsum sand it sent to Washington for the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree lighting ceremony was not from White Sands National Monument. Group co-founder Couy Griffin told The Associated Press Friday the sand was collected outside the monument. The group earlier announced that the superfine, white sand was from the monument. Democrats claimed that taking it was a possible federal law violation. Removing natural resources from U.S. national park units is illegal without permission. The sand was sent to Washington so to be showcased with the tree, which is also from New Mexico.