News Feed

Oath Keeper Founder Stewart Rhodes Convicted of Seditious Conspiracy In Jan. 6 Trial

The federal jury in Washington, D.C., found Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes guilty of seditious conspiracy on Tuesday for his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol as President Joe Biden‘s victory was being certified by a joint session of Congress.

Fellow Oath Keeper’s member and co-defendant Kelly Meggs was also convicted of seditious conspiracy, which can carry up to a 20-year prison sentence. Meggs was the leader of the far-right group’s Florida branch.

Rhodes and Meggs were found guilty in large part due to evidence that they wished violence upon House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California). In the seven weeks of testimony, prosecutors laid out how they believed Rhodes began after the 2020 election to plan how the group could enact an armed rebellion to keep former President Donald Trump in office.

The three other group members Jessica Watkins, Thomas Caldwell and Kenneth Harrelson were not convicted on the seditious conspiracy charge, but joined Rhodes and Meggs in being found guilty of obstructing an official proceeding.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Following the verdict, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that the Justice Department remains “committed to holding accountable those criminally responsible for the assault on our democracy on January 6, 2021.”

Rhodes’ legal team said they plan to begin the appeal process soon.

The convictions mark a milestone victory for the Justice Department in the January 6 proceedings and are likely just the beginning as other trials for January 6 defendants, including Proud Boys members, are slated to occur soon. Charges of seditious conspiracy are rare and were mainly used during the Civil War period.

Rose Carter

Share
Published by
Rose Carter

Recent Posts

Sen. John Fetterman Shouts & Bangs His Fists During ‘Chaotic’ Meeting With Teachers’ Union, Raising Further Concerns About His Mental Health

Concerns are rising for Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) following a chaotic meeting with Pennsylvania teachers'…

14 hours ago

House Republicans Struggle To Unite On Trump’s ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ Amid Battle Over Medicaid Cuts & SALT Deduction

With weeks remaining before their self-imposed Memorial Day deadline, House Republicans are growing more divided…

20 hours ago

Trump Calls Fed Chair Powell A ‘Fool’ After Interest Rates Hold Steady Due To Concerns About Tariffs

The Federal Reserve decided on Wednesday to hold interest rates steady, at 4.25 percent to…

20 hours ago

Biden Stands By Decision To Delay Ending Campaign, Says It Wouldn’t Have ‘Mattered’ If He’d Dropped Out Sooner

Former U.S. President Joe Biden continues to defend his decision to drop out of the…

2 days ago

Sen. John Fetterman Denies Allegations Of ‘Reckless & Volatile Behavior’ By Staffers

Two years after Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) checked himself into a hospital to treat his…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Pro-Palestine Protesters Face Off With Public Safety Officers At Columbia University

https://youtu.be/-5rxJ1A4uHU Pro-Palestine protesters faced off with officers during a rally in a Columbia University library…

2 days ago