Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far-right militia Oath Keepers, and another member of the group were convicted this Tuesday (29) of “rioting” for participating in the 2021 occupation of the United States Capitol.
After three days of deliberation, a 12-member jury in a Washington federal court acquitted the other three members of the Oath Guardians of sedition, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The decision ended a nearly two-month trial in which the government was determined to show that the violent occupation of the Capitol Building, which suspended the process of confirming Joe Biden as incoming president, amounted to a rebellion against the government in 2019. part of supporters of then President Donald Trump.
The five people on trial were the first of nearly 800 people accused of participating in the riot that killed five.
The Justice Department said Rhodes and members of the Oath Keepers were “planning an armed rebellion.” […] Conspiracy to oppose the United States government by force”.
Prosecutors showed videos of the attack by dozens of members of the group dressed in military style.
The defendants, however, classified the case as a political lawsuit promoted by the Biden administration against Trump supporters.
“Persecution”
During the trial, prosecutors proved that Stewart Rhodes began gathering his troops in November 2020. “We will not leave here without a civil war,” the leader wrote in cryptic messages two days after the presidential election.
In the weeks that followed, Rhodes spent thousands of dollars on night vision devices, weapons and ammunition, and stashed the arsenal in a hotel on the outskirts of Washington, prosecutors said.
On January 6, several Oath Keepers dressed in helmets and war gear marched towards the Capitol. Some entered the building but withdrew after security forces used tear gas. Others entered the Capitol in military order.
Rhodes stayed out, but commanded his troops from afar “like a general on the battlefield,” according to prosecutors.
Famous for his black eye patch over his left eye, the defendant sworn in, denying that he “planned” the attack on the Capitol. He stated that the Oath Keepers’ “mission” was to ensure the safety of the demonstration, which was called by outgoing President Donald Trump to denounce the alleged “election fraud”.
Rhodes called it “stupid” for Kelly Meggs, president of the Florida branch of Oath Keepers and also convicted of sedition, to enter the Capitol.
Stewart Rhodes said, “It opened the door to our political persecution. Look where we are now.”
Rhodes, 50, a law graduate from Yale University, founded Oath Keepers in 2009, bringing together veterans and police officers to fight the federal state he initially saw as “oppressive”.
Like other radical groups, these militias have been seduced by Trump’s rhetoric and fully embraced the accusations of electoral fraud brought by the republican leader, which were never proven.
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.