A trial began Monday for the leaders of the anti-government militia Oath Keepers for their involvement in the January 6 riots.
Stewart Rhodes is the founder of the Oath Keepers.
The goal of the defendants, including Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and four associates, was to stop the lawful transfer of presidential power and take up arms against the government, according to an opening statement.
The group plotted to prevent Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's win in plain sight while also using private messaging apps.
If Congress doesn't do the right thing, Rhodes warned his followers in text messages there would be "torches and pitchforks"
seditious conspiracy, the most severe charge handed to a January 6 defendants, is one of the charges against the co-conspirators.
The trial is going to last a long time. The defendants' attorneys are going to follow the opening statements from the prosecutors.
The last time the Justice Department tried to prosecute someone for seditious conspiracy was almost 30 years ago, when an Egyptian cleric and his followers were convicted of planning to bomb New York City landmarks. The seditious conspiracy charge was passed after the Civil War to arrest people who were fighting the government.
It's at least 912. The tracker maintained by Insider shows how many people have been charged in the insurrection.
Rhodes and 10 other people were charged with seditious conspiracy. Dozens of Oath Keepers members spent weeks gathering weapons and training armed teams to stop Biden from becoming president, according to prosecutors. Several members are accused of breaching the Capitol on January 6. According to prosecutors, Oath Keepers warned Biden taking office could lead to violence and cause a "bloody and desperate fight" According to the AP, the militia group's leaders argue they never planned to participate in an attack and were at the Capitol to defend themselves against violence from antiFA activists. They believe the Insurrection Act would allow them to act as a government-authorized militia. The Proud Boys and the Three Percenters are accused of being involved in the riots.
The Oath Keepers are set to go on trial in November, but three of them have already pleaded guilty.
The details should be reported.
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