In an ongoing investigation into the events of January 6, 2021, federal prosecutors filed a charge of sedition for the first time.
Stuart Rhodes, a former paratrooper and founder of the far-right paramilitary organization Oath Keepers, was arrested on this charge. The indictment states that Rhodes, in collusion with others, intended to refute the results of the 2020 presidential election and take over the Capitol. Rhodes admits he was outside the Capitol on January 6, but claims he never entered the building.
Rhodes said in an interview with The Washington Post that he did talk to members of his group that day, “but only to keep them out of trouble.” Any member of our organization who infiltrated the building “has completely deviated from our goal, as neither I nor anyone else in the leadership of the organization gave such an order,” Rhodes added.
The indictment also states that Rhodes urged members of the group to “stock up on weapons” and be prepared for “all-out street warfare.” Two days before the events of January 6, he posted an article on the Internet calling on “all patriots” of America to “strongly support President Trump in his battle against enemies trying to stage a coup.”
Newspaper headline:
Rebels indicted