Oath Keepers defendant downplays ‘heavy weapons’ message
2 years, 4 months ago

Oath Keepers defendant downplays ‘heavy weapons’ message

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A defendant charged alongside members of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol played down his message about ferrying “heavy weapons” across the Potomac River, calling it “creative writing” in testimony Tuesday. Prosecutors spent weeks methodically laying out how they say the Oath Keepers plotted for weeks to overturn Biden’s election victory by any means necessary. Messages from Caldwell included a November 2020 missive after the Million MAGA March where he wrote that “we could have burned Congress down if we had wanted to” and another from shortly after the election raising the possibility of “civil war.” On cross-examination, prosecutors showed messages that appeared to contradict his testimony, including his statement that he didn’t witness any violence when he and his wife entered Capitol grounds on Jan. 6. For example, when prosecutors showed a video of his wife using a vulgar term in reference to Congress during the riot, he said she was trying to express that it was a “great opportunity to start the healing process in our country.” Caldwell told jurors that his previous trips into Washington before Jan. 6 weren’t recognizance for an Oath Keepers operation but rather an effort to determine how many portable bathrooms would be available and where they would be.

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History of this topic

Attorney for far-right Oath Keepers extremist group pleads guilty to Capitol riot charges
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Attorney for far-right Oath Keepers extremist group pleads guilty to Capitol riot charges

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — An attorney who represented the far-right Oath Keepers pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges stemming from a mob’s Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, including members of the extremist group. Kellye SoRelle, who was general counsel for the antigovernment group and a close associate of its founder, is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 17 by …

Judge rejects defense effort to throw out an Oath Keepers associate’s Jan. 6 conviction
1 year, 5 months ago

Judge rejects defense effort to throw out an Oath Keepers associate’s Jan. 6 conviction

LA Times  

Thomas Caldwell of Berryville, Va., leaves a Washington courthouse after the verdict in his Jan. 6 trial in November 2022. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta rejected a defense effort to throw out the Washington, D.C., jury’s guilty verdict against Thomas Caldwell, a retired Navy intelligence officer who was convicted in November in the U.S. Capitol attack alongside Oath Keepers founder …

Officers describe Jan. 6 chaos and fear as judge weighs prison time for Oath Keepers
1 year, 9 months ago

Officers describe Jan. 6 chaos and fear as judge weighs prison time for Oath Keepers

LA Times  

Courtroom artist’s sketch of Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes testifying on Nov. 7, 2022, at his trial in federal court on charges of seditious conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta heard victim impact statements a day before he’s expected to deliver the first Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy sentences to Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and an associate convicted of plotting …

Four Oath Keepers convicted of Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy
2 years, 1 month ago

Four Oath Keepers convicted of Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Four members of the Oath Keepers were convicted Monday of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack in the second major trial of far-right extremists accused of plotting to forcibly keep President Donald Trump in power. Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters after the verdict that he is “grateful to the prosecutors, agents and staff for …

Oath Keepers plotted to use force on January 6: US prosecutor
2 years, 3 months ago

Oath Keepers plotted to use force on January 6: US prosecutor

Al Jazeera  

Prosecutor tells US jury that far-right group members plotted to stop transfer of power and keep Donald Trump in office. A federal prosecutor has told a United States court that four members of the far-right Oath Keepers should be found guilty of seditious conspiracy for plotting to use force to stop the peaceful transfer of power at the US Capitol …

Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes found guilty of seditious conspiracy
2 years, 3 months ago

Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes found guilty of seditious conspiracy

CBS News  

Founder of the far-right Oath Keepers group Stewart Rhodes and codefendant Kelly Meggs were convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack on Tuesday — the most serious charges any defendants have faced in the wake of the riot. Susan Walsh / AP Government witnesses — including former members of the Oath Keepers …

Seditious conspiracy defendant wrangles with prosecutor over violent messages in Oath Keepers Jan. 6 case
2 years, 4 months ago

Seditious conspiracy defendant wrangles with prosecutor over violent messages in Oath Keepers Jan. 6 case

CBS News  

Washington – A defendant in the high-profile Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial dismissed incendiary communications prosecutors say he sent in the days surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol attack doubt as "goofy" and told jurors he played no role in the riot, attempting to refute the government's evidence that was displayed in court on Tuesday. Under questioning from his defense attorney, …

What we learned from the Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial so far
2 years, 4 months ago

What we learned from the Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial so far

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Here is what we have learned so far in the trial Stopping the election …

Oath Keepers leader: No plan to attack the Capitol on Jan. 6
2 years, 4 months ago

Oath Keepers leader: No plan to attack the Capitol on Jan. 6

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes told jurors there was no plan for his band of extremists to attack the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as he tried Monday to clear his name in his seditious conspiracy trial. Messages Rhodes sent include another from December 2020 in which he said Trump “needs to know that if he fails …

Oath Keepers leader says group didn’t plan to storm US Capitol
2 years, 4 months ago

Oath Keepers leader says group didn’t plan to storm US Capitol

Al Jazeera  

Far-right group’s Stewart Rhodes tells jurors ‘there was no plan to enter’ Capitol building on January 6 last year. Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes has told jurors there was no plan for members of his far-right group to attack the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, as he tries to clear his name in his seditious conspiracy trial. Rhodes …

On stand in 1/6 trial, Oath Keepers boss says he’s a patriot
2 years, 4 months ago

On stand in 1/6 trial, Oath Keepers boss says he’s a patriot

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes took the witness stand Friday in his seditious conspiracy trial, telling jurors he is a patriotic American as he tries to counter allegations that his far-right extremist group planned an armed rebellion to stop the transfer of presidential power. Asked whether he believed the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, Rhodes falsely described …

Prosecution rests, Oath Keepers 1/6 case turns to defense
2 years, 4 months ago

Prosecution rests, Oath Keepers 1/6 case turns to defense

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors rested their case Thursday against Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and four associates charged in the U.S. Capitol attack after presenting nearly five weeks of testimony, videos and text messages they say prove the defendants were behind a violent plot to stop the transfer of presidential power. “There’s always a risk and something to lose when …

Jan. 6 Trial Delayed After Leader Of Far-Right Oath Keepers Contracts COVID
2 years, 4 months ago

Jan. 6 Trial Delayed After Leader Of Far-Right Oath Keepers Contracts COVID

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — The trial of a far-right extremist group leader and four associates charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was delayed on Monday after the Oath Keepers leader tested positive for the coronavirus. Jurors were supposed to begin hearing the fourth week of testimony in the case against Stewart Rhodes and four …

Oath Keepers trial reveals dozens of Jan 6 messages as members stormed Capitol
2 years, 4 months ago

Oath Keepers trial reveals dozens of Jan 6 messages as members stormed Capitol

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “We’re about to find out.” Recommended What we …

Testimony: Oath Keepers ready to use ‘any means necessary’
2 years, 4 months ago

Testimony: Oath Keepers ready to use ‘any means necessary’

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Oath Keepers extremists were prepared to use “any means necessary” on Jan. 6, 2021, to stop the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s electoral victory, a member of the group testified Tuesday. That’s why we brought our firearms.” Dolan is the first of several Oath Keepers with cooperation deals with the government who are expected to testify in the …

Trial: Trump tweet about ‘wild’ protest energized extremists
2 years, 5 months ago

Trial: Trump tweet about ‘wild’ protest energized extremists

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Members of the far-right Oath Keepers were ecstatic when then-President Donald Trump invited supporters to a “wild” protest in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, when Congress would be certifying the results of the 2020 election, according to messages shown Thursday during the seditious conspiracy trial for the militia group’s founder and four associates. During an FBI agent’s testimony, …

Trial: Trump tweet about 'wild' protest energized extremists
2 years, 5 months ago

Trial: Trump tweet about 'wild' protest energized extremists

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Members of the far-right Oath Keepers were ecstatic when then-President …

Oath Keepers jury hears about massive weapon cache on Jan. 6
2 years, 5 months ago

Oath Keepers jury hears about massive weapon cache on Jan. 6

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A member of the Oath Keepers who traveled to Washington before the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol testified Wednesday about a massive cache of weapons the far-right extremist group stashed in a Virginia hotel room. Taking the stand in the seditious conspiracy case against Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and four associates, Terry Cummings showed jurors …

Ex-Oath Keeper: Group leader claimed Secret Service contact
2 years, 5 months ago

Ex-Oath Keeper: Group leader claimed Secret Service contact

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes told a member of the extremist group before the 2020 election that he had a contact in the Secret Service, a witness testified Thursday in Rhodes’ Capitol riot trial. The man, Abdullah Rasheed, said he began recording the call with hundreds of Oath Keepers members because Rhodes’ rhetoric made it sound like “we …

Oath Keeper's defense may have backfired
2 years, 5 months ago

Oath Keeper's defense may have backfired

Raw Story  

Attorneys representing Oath Keeper Thomas Caldwell this week tried to paint their client as someone who was only interested in defending the Capitol against Antifa on January 6th, 2021 -- and it may have backfired. "Caldwell has opened the door on redirect examination to evidence that he created a "death list" and included included federal presidential election workers during the …

Oath Keepers sedition trial: Secret recordings played to jury reveal plans for Jan 6 ‘fight’
2 years, 5 months ago

Oath Keepers sedition trial: Secret recordings played to jury reveal plans for Jan 6 ‘fight’

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Text messages and video evidence fom the FBI dominated a …

Oath Keepers Sought 'Legal Cover' To Bring Guns To Capitol On Jan. 6
2 years, 5 months ago

Oath Keepers Sought 'Legal Cover' To Bring Guns To Capitol On Jan. 6

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — Evidence presented at trial Tuesday showed that Elmer Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far-right Oath Keepers, started agitating for a strategy to keep President Donald Trump in power by force as early as Nov. 7, 2020 — the date that media outlets called the presidential election for Joe Biden. Prosecutors showed the 16-member jury how …

Oath Keepers trial: Jan. 6 was ‘rebellion,’ prosecutor says
2 years, 5 months ago

Oath Keepers trial: Jan. 6 was ‘rebellion,’ prosecutor says

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The founder of the Oath Keepers extremist group and four associates planned an “armed rebellion” to keep President Donald Trump in power, a federal prosecutor contended Monday as the most serious case yet went to trial in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. “The story the government is trying to tell you today is completely …

Trump at center of Oath Keepers novel defense in Jan. 6 case
2 years, 5 months ago

Trump at center of Oath Keepers novel defense in Jan. 6 case

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The defense team in the Capitol riot trial of the Oath Keepers leader is relying on an unusual strategy with Donald Trump at the center. Rhodes’ lawyers have argued Trump could have called up a militia in response to “what he perceived as a conspiracy to deprive a class of persons in several states of their voting rights.” …

Jury Selection Complete In Oath Keepers Seditious Conspiracy Trial
2 years, 5 months ago

Jury Selection Complete In Oath Keepers Seditious Conspiracy Trial

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — A panel of jurors was chosen Thursday to serve in the Oath Keepers’ sedition trial after three long days of selection proceedings in federal court. The group of 12, with four alternates, will weigh evidence starting next week to determine whether members of the far-right extremist group conspired to stop the peaceful transfer of presidential …

Oath Keepers’ lawyer arrested in connection with Jan. 6
2 years, 6 months ago

Oath Keepers’ lawyer arrested in connection with Jan. 6

Associated Press  

A lawyer for the far-right Oath Keepers extremist group has been charged with conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol, authorities said Thursday. Kellye SoRelle — general counsel for the antigovernment group — was arrested in Texas on charges including conspiracy to obstruct the certification of President Joe Biden’s electoral college victory, the Justice …

Judge won’t delay Oath Keepers’ trial over Jan. 6 hearings
2 years, 7 months ago

Judge won’t delay Oath Keepers’ trial over Jan. 6 hearings

Associated Press  

Members of the far-right Oath Keepers’ extremist group charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol will face jurors this fall after a judge on Tuesday denied defense attorneys’ bid to delay the high-profile trial until next year. But U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said he is confident the court will find a fair jury for the …

Judge declines to delay Oath Keepers’ Jan. 6 trial
2 years, 7 months ago

Judge declines to delay Oath Keepers’ Jan. 6 trial

LA Times  

Members of the far-right Oath Keepers extremist group charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol will face jurors this fall after a judge on Tuesday denied defense attorneys’ bid to delay the high-profile trial until next year. But U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said that he is confident the court will find a fair jury for …

Oath Keepers militia leader allegedly asked to get Trump to allow his group to forcibly stop 6 Jan transfer of power
2 years, 10 months ago

Oath Keepers militia leader allegedly asked to get Trump to allow his group to forcibly stop 6 Jan transfer of power

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

Top Oath Keepers member says he overheard extremist group’s leader trying to connect with Trump after US Capitol riot
2 years, 10 months ago

Top Oath Keepers member says he overheard extremist group’s leader trying to connect with Trump after US Capitol riot

CNN  

CNN — A top member of the Oath Keepers said in court on Wednesday that he overheard the leader of the group, Stewart Rhodes, trying and failing to get in touch with then-President Donald Trump after the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. “Wilson heard Rhodes repeatedly implore the individual to tell President Trump to call upon groups …

Second Oath Keeper pleads guilty to seditious conspiracy in major win for DOJ Capitol riot probe
2 years, 10 months ago

Second Oath Keeper pleads guilty to seditious conspiracy in major win for DOJ Capitol riot probe

Raw Story  

A second member of the Oath Keepers militia has pleaded guilty to engaging in a seditious conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Politico reports that Oath Keeper Brian Ulrich on Friday pleaded guilty to both seditious conspiracy and obstructing an official act of Congress when he stormed the Capitol building on January 6th. Ulrich joins fellow …

GOP's Ronny Jackson may have been communicating with Oath Keepers during Jan. 6 riot: court documents
2 years, 10 months ago

GOP's Ronny Jackson may have been communicating with Oath Keepers during Jan. 6 riot: court documents

Raw Story  

Rep. Ronny Jackson may have been in contact with Oath Keepers members during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. A newly released trove of text messages shows members of the right-wing militia discussing security for some top Donald Trump allies ahead of the congressional certification of Joe Biden's election win, and Oath Keepers co-founder Stewart Rhodes asked …

Legal risks in sedition conspiracy case against Oath Keepers
3 years, 2 months ago

Legal risks in sedition conspiracy case against Oath Keepers

Associated Press  

The seditious conspiracy case against members and associates of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group marks the boldest attempt so far by the government to prosecute those who attacked the U.S. Capitol, but invoking the rarely used charge carries considerable risks. The experts who examined the indictment against the 11 Oath Keepers members and associates said the government’s case is …

Founder of Oath Keepers charged with seditious conspiracy
3 years, 2 months ago

Founder of Oath Keepers charged with seditious conspiracy

LA Times  

Stewart Rhodes, founder and president of Oath Keepers, speaks during a gun rights rally at the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., in 2013. Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group, has been arrested and charged with seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, authorities said Thursday. Rhodes is …

Oath Keeper pleads guilty in Jan. 6 riot, will cooperate
3 years, 5 months ago

Oath Keeper pleads guilty in Jan. 6 riot, will cooperate

Associated Press  

A member of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 has pleaded guilty and will cooperate with investigators against his fellow extremists, marking another win for the Justice Department in its major conspiracy case stemming from the attack. Dolan was arrested in May and is among 20 members and associates of the Oath …

Federal prosecutor reveals he is working on plea negotiations with Oath Keepers January 6 'rioters'
3 years, 9 months ago

Federal prosecutor reveals he is working on plea negotiations with Oath Keepers January 6 'rioters'

Daily Mail  

Federal prosecutors are working on 'informal plea negotiations' with a right-wing extremist group called the Oath Keepers accused of storming the US Capitol in coordination on January 6. News of potential plea deals emerged hot on the heels of the government's Monday indictment of four more Oath Keepers, meaning 16 of its members have now been charged over the January …

Oath Keepers Leader Poised For Trump To Make Gang His 'Militia': Capitol Riot Indictment
3 years, 9 months ago

Oath Keepers Leader Poised For Trump To Make Gang His 'Militia': Capitol Riot Indictment

Huff Post  

The founder of the extremist Oath Keepers was poised for orders from then-President Donald Trump the day of the Capitol insurrection to seize control of the government, according to the latest conspiracy indictment against several members. The new indictment also provides additional detail about nearby weapons stashes, and the existence of a “quick reaction force” of Oath Keepers outside Washington, …

‘Call it an insurrection’: Oath Keepers charged for Capitol riot
3 years, 9 months ago

‘Call it an insurrection’: Oath Keepers charged for Capitol riot

Al Jazeera  

Four members of the militia group face charges as federal authorities continue the probe into January 6 insurrection. Four more members of the anti-government Oath Keepers militia have been charged for their roles in the January 6 storming of the US Capitol to stop the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory, according to newly unsealed court documents. An individual identified …

Oath Keepers stashed weapons at hotel near Capitol ahead of Jan. 6 riot: Prosecutors
3 years, 11 months ago

Oath Keepers stashed weapons at hotel near Capitol ahead of Jan. 6 riot: Prosecutors

Raw Story  

The Justice Department has presented new evidence that members of the paramilitary Oath Keepers stashed weapons at a nearby hotel during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors have previously shown private messages between Oath Keepers leaders hinting at a quick reaction force that could respond to an escalation of violence during the riot, but a new court …

Prosecutors: Oath Keepers' Founder Was In Direct Contact With Capitol Rioters
4 years ago

Prosecutors: Oath Keepers' Founder Was In Direct Contact With Capitol Rioters

NPR  

Prosecutors: Oath Keepers' Founder Was In Direct Contact With Capitol Rioters Enlarge this image toggle caption Brent Stirton/Getty Images Brent Stirton/Getty Images Federal prosecutors allege that the founder and leader of the Oath Keepers paramilitary group, Stewart Rhodes, was in direct communication — in the runup to Jan. 6 and then during the Capitol insurrection itself — with militia members …

Oath Keeper charged in Capitol riot renounces militia group
4 years ago

Oath Keeper charged in Capitol riot renounces militia group

Associated Press  

A member of the Oath Keepers militia group charged with plotting with other extremists in the attack on the U.S. Capitol disavowed the anti-government group in a court hearing Friday, telling the judge she is “appalled” by her fellow Oath Keepers and “humiliated” by her arrest. Arrest this assembly, we have probable cause for acts of treason, election fraud.” Watkins’ …

Dozens charged in Capitol riots spewed extremist rhetoric
4 years, 1 month ago

Dozens charged in Capitol riots spewed extremist rhetoric

Associated Press  

— In a text message, a radicalized Trump supporter suggested getting a boat to ferry “heavy weapons” across the Potomac River into the waiting arms of their members in time for Jan. 6, court papers say. A leading liberal advocacy group is urging its supporters to call on attorney general nominee Merrick Garland to “investigate and prosecute Trump and his …

Dozens charged in Capitol riots spewed extremist rhetoric
4 years, 1 month ago

Dozens charged in Capitol riots spewed extremist rhetoric

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A leading liberal advocacy group is urging its supporters to call on attorney general …

Oath Keeper extremist who stormed US Capitol kept ‘death list’ and fantasised about mutilating corpses of enemies
4 years, 1 month ago

Oath Keeper extremist who stormed US Capitol kept ‘death list’ and fantasised about mutilating corpses of enemies

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The prosecution’s memo quotes a wealth of text messages and social media posts between …

Oath Keepers leader waited for Trump to ‘activate’ them before Capitol attack
4 years, 1 month ago

Oath Keepers leader waited for Trump to ‘activate’ them before Capitol attack

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A leader of the Oath Keepers militia says she waited …

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