Oath Keepers planned to keep Trump in power by force in Nov, warned of 'bloody, bloody civil war' otherwise
WASHINGTON DC: A newly unsealed indictment named additional members of the Oath Keepers, a far-right militia group that comprises current and formerly serving military officers, cops and first responders that participated in the January 6 storming of the US Capitol, as defendants.
Joseph Hackett, 51, of Sarasota, Florida, Jason Dolan, 44, of Wellington, Florida, and William Isaacs, 21, of Kissimmee, Florida, each faces multiple counts in an indictment that was unsealed on Sunday, May 30. As per the Washington Post, the three appeared before US magistrates in Tampa, West Palm Beach and Orlando on Thursday, May 27. The name of a fourth defendant, who is not known to be in custody, was reportedly redacted.
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Stewart Rhodes, the founder of Oath Keepers, claimed that the government was trying to inflate the rogue actions of a few members into an alleged conspiracy committed by the organization. “I may go to jail soon, not for anything I actually did, but for made-up crimes,” Rhodes said at a March rally in Laredo, Texas. US prosecutors have so far criminally charged at least 19 alleged Oath Keepers or associates in the Capitol riots.
As per reports, Hackett, Dolan, Issacs, and the unnamed member have been charged with conspiring to obstruct Congress’s confirmation of the 2020 presidential election. They have also been accused of forcing entry through the Capitol’s East Rotunda doors after marching single-file up the steps wearing camouflage combat uniforms, tactical vests with plates, helmets, eye protection and the Oath Keepers insignia. In the new charging document, five of the previously named defendants also now face additional charges for allegedly deleting their social media or cell phone activity.
The newly unsealed indictment alleged that Rhodes began discussing plans to keep Trump in the White House by force as early as last November 9, 2020. The Post reported that during an online GoToMeeting conference that day, Rhodes allegedly told those in attendance, “We’re going to defend the president, the duly elected president, and we call on him to do what needs to be done to save our country. Because if you don’t, guys, you’re going to be in a bloody, bloody civil war and a bloody — you can call it an insurrection or you can call it a war or fight.”
“I’m willing to sacrifice myself for that,” Rhodes allegedly also told followers. “Let the fight start there. That will give President Trump what he needs, frankly... We want him to declare an insurrection, and to call us up as the militia.”
The unsealed indictment also alleged that as early as January 3, Hackett, Dolan, and Isaacs joined others on an encrypted Signal message group titled “OK FL DC OP Jan 6”. The indictment accused Isaacs of pushing against the Capitol doors, then entering after the mob breached the doors, moving with the larger Oath Keepers group led by Watkins through the Rotunda and into the Senate wing, before collectively exiting.
This new indictment has caused uproar online. “The sacrifices made by our soldiers and their families is profound. It upsets me to hear ‘Oath Keepers’ talk about civil war or for the insurrectionists to act like they're going to take up arms and overturn our government. It's deeply disrespectful and dangerous,” said a Twitter user.
One Twitter user said, “The Indictment of the Oath Keepers for 1/6, who were willing to kill any other citizen who supported the legally elected PRESIDENT based on the SICK LIES told by 45 & GOP, my FAITH in the military is shattered. Read it, you will understand the mortal danger democracy is in.” Another Twitter user said, “Oath Keepers is trending. They are recruiting hard in my state of PA. I call my legislators, I get no response. They are planning the second insurrection in front of our noses. Democrats are still asleep. Gods forbid we stop an insurrection. That wouldn't be ‘bipartisan’.”
The sacrifices made by our soldiers and their families is profound. It upsets me to hear "Oath Keepers" talk about civil war or for the insurrectionists to act like they're going to take up arms and overturn our government. It's deeply disrespectful and dangerous.
— sherean (@sherean) May 31, 2021
The Indictment of the Oath Keepers for 1/6, who were willing to kill any other citizen who supported the legally elected PRESIDENT based on the SICK LIES told by 45 & GOP, my FAITH in the military is shattered. Read it, you will understand the mortal danger democracy is in.
— Hedy Salazar (@queeniema52) May 31, 2021
Oath Keepers is trending. They are recruiting hard in my state of PA. I call my legislators, I get no response. They are planning the second insurrection in front of our noses. Democrats are still asleep. Gods forbid we stop an insurrection. That wouldn't be "bipartisan".
— Sharkspeare (@Sharkspeer) May 31, 2021