Stewart Rhodes, founder of Oath-Keepers, speaks during a rally outside the White House in 2017.
Susan Walsh / AP
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Susan Walsh / AP
Stewart Rhodes, founder of Oath-Keepers, speaks during a rally outside the White House in 2017.
Susan Walsh / AP
Stewart Rhodes testified in his own defense in his federal trial that he was not part of the planning of the January 6 attack on the Capitol and that members of the Keepers group far-right oath to break into the building made a “stupid” decision.
Rhodes and four other defendants were charged with conspiring to advise in the most serious criminal case yet to stem from the siege into the government seat. Prosecutors presented hundreds of text messages and witnesses accusing the defendants of sometimes violent rhetoric about keeping former President Donald Trump in power.
Interrogated by his attorney, Rhodes denied he had plans to “disturb the Capitol”, saying, “It’s not within the scope of the mission.”
The breaking into the building, says Rhodes, opened the door for our political enemies to persecute us, and he said that’s exactly what happened, pointing out that the trial took place on Thursday. sixth week.
Rhodes said no when his attorney asked, “You don’t control, require, or have anything to do with” the force stationed in Virginia to bring weapons into Washington, D.C. Rhodes said he authorized most of the time overseeing the activities of the Oath Keepers. that day and warned team members to be careful about what they bring into DC, due to the city’s strict gun laws.
Rhodes also denied having any contact with fellow defendants Jessica Watkins and Thomas Caldwell on January 6. He said others on the team were in charge of communications. He denies being the micromanager of the Oath Keepers, as he has been portrayed by government witnesses.
Rhodes testified that he was in his hotel room when he received a call that the Capitol had been broken into, and he asked, “Who?” He said the caller, another Oath-Keeper, replied, “Trump supporters.” Rhodes said he then went to the Capitol grounds.
He said he called the Oath-Keepers to meet at a central point but that it was to keep them out of trouble, not to attack the Capitol. He said he did not receive several cell phone messages related to the events of January 6 until the next day.
After the attack, Rhodes said, a woman he described as his attorney but prosecutors called his girlfriend instructed the Oath-keeper to remain silent about his activities. surname. Rhodes said the woman, Kellye SoRelle, acted of her own accord when she asked the Oath-Keeper to delete text messages and other documents that could be incriminating them.
Rhodes said he denied her warning that law enforcement would soon show up on his doorstep, describing himself as a “dissident” authority who knew where to look if they wanted to. older brother.
Government rested Fifth in the largest case to date in the Justice Department’s investigation into the January 6, 2021, deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol. Rhodes and the other defendants are accused of conspiring to use force to prevent Joe Biden from taking office.
The jury heard a month of testimony from more than two dozen witnesses, including FBI agents, U.S. Capitol police, the former Oath-Keeper, and two members of the team that stormed the Capitol and subsequently admitted conspiracy crime.
Rhodes and his alleged accomplices — Jessica Watkins, Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson and Thomas Caldwell — were charged with conspiracy, obstruction, and other counts related to January 6.
