...By Gift BADEWO for TDPel Media.
Stewart Rhodes, Leader of Oath Keepers, Sentenced to 18 Years for Capitol Riot
Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the Oath Keepers, received a prison sentence of 18 years on Thursday for his involvement in the January 6 riot at the Capitol.
In November, Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy, which was a significant trial that solidified the Justice Department’s ability to hold the rioters accountable and affirmed that the breach of Congress posed a threat to democracy.
He was also found guilty of obstructing an official proceeding and tampering with documents.
District Court Judge Amit Mehta, during the sentencing, ruled that Rhodes’ actions on January 6 constituted domestic terrorism.
Mehta stated that Rhodes was the mastermind behind the Oath Keepers’ breach of the Capitol, asserting that the group would not have stormed the building and disrupted the certification of the 2020 presidential election if not for Rhodes.
The judge dismissed Rhodes’ claims of being a political prisoner and sided with federal prosecutors, deeming him a domestic terrorist who aimed to influence the government through intimidation or coercion.
Judge Denounces Rhodes and Sentences Him as an Ongoing Threat
During the court proceedings on Thursday, Judge Amit Mehta rejected Stewart Rhodes’ assertion that he was a political prisoner and delivered a scathing assessment of his actions.
Mehta accused Rhodes of wanting to incite violence for decades and stated that he represented a persistent threat to the country.
The judge believed that Rhodes would continue to take up arms against the government upon release and emphasized the danger of citizens attempting to foment revolution due to dissatisfaction with an election outcome or perceived legal violations.
Mehta concluded that Rhodes’ actions on January 6 were precisely an instance of such behavior.
Rhodes Receives Longest Sentence and First for Seditious Conspiracy
Stewart Rhodes’ sentence of 18 years marks the longest prison term among the 1,000-plus individuals charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack.
It surpasses the previous record of 14 years for a Pennsylvania man who attacked police during the riot.
Additionally, Rhodes becomes the first person to be sentenced for seditious conspiracy, a significant charge related to the attack.
The sentencing has implications for Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, who is scheduled to be sentenced later in the day.
Federal prosecutors had sought a 25-year sentence for Rhodes, including a terrorism enhancement, arguing that he orchestrated a plot to disrupt the transfer of presidential power.
Stewart Rhodes’ Background and the Formation of Oath Keepers
Stewart Rhodes, a Yale Law graduate and former paratrooper, founded the Oath Keepers in 2009.
Raised in the Southwest, Rhodes joined the Army after high school but was honorably discharged due to an injury sustained during a parachuting accident.
He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and worked in various jobs, including as a concealed-carry firearms instructor and a valet driver.
Rhodes became politically active, initially supporting Libertarian Ron Paul, whom he worked for during an internship in Washington, D.C.
Rhodes then pursued a law degree at Yale, clerked for an Arizona Supreme Court Justice, and volunteered for Paul’s 2008 presidential campaign.
After his experience with the Paul campaign, Rhodes turned away from electoral politics and established the Oath Keepers as a Nevada nonprofit organization in 2009.
He recruited current and former military officers, veterans, and police officers, with the group’s membership including armed forces and law enforcement personnel.
The Oath Keepers gained attention for their appearances at protests and political events, often armed, including racial justice demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
Rhodes’ fervent calls to resist government overreach garnered media attention, and he formed alliances with right-wing groups and made frequent appearances on platforms associated with conspiracy theories.
Rhodes openly supported Donald Trump, considering him aligned with their interests, and faced social media bans for inciting violence.
