Oath Keepers Founder Sentenced to 18 Years

Facts

• Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes was sentenced on Thursday to 18 years in prison for plotting to forcefully prevent the peaceful transfer of presidential power, the longest term so far imposed over the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.¹
• The former US Army paratrooper and Yale-educated lawyer, who founded the right-wing group in 2009, stayed outside the Capitol and took phone calls and messages while other Oath Keepers entered the building.²
• Prosecutors had sought a 25-year jail sentence, claiming he masterminded the plan that included "quick reaction force" teams at a Virginia hotel to convey weapons — which were never deployed — into Washington, D.C.³
• The ruling marks the first time that the Justice Dept.'s request for the so-called "terrorism enhancement" was granted for a Jan. 6 case, as the judge agreed that the Oath Keepers attempted to influence the government through "intimidation or coercion."⁴
• This comes nearly six months after a jury found Rhodes guilty of seditious conspiracy and multiple other crimes. He pledged to appeal his conviction and sentence.⁵
• Five other members of the Oath Keepers have been convicted of seditious conspiracy for their roles in Jan. 6 since last November, with a federal court jury also finding four members of the Proud Boys guilty of the crime.⁶

Sources: ¹Wall Street Journal, ²BBC News, ³FOX News, ⁴Newsmax, ⁵NPR Online News, and ⁶Axios.

Narratives

• Democratic narrative, as provided by CNN. This tough sentence will hopefully have a chilling effect on far-right extremist groups, making it harder for them to recruit and raise money as the 2024 presidential election approaches. As the Justice Dept. has been successfully bringing those liable for the Capitol riot to justice, it's time to hold Donald Trump, who is the root of this problem, accountable as well.
• Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by InfoWars. Like Trump, Rhodes has been persecuted as part of a political witch hunt. No Oath Keepers in Jan. 6 were armed or took part in any fighting, yet its leader was convicted by an obviously biased D.C. jury. Those who participated in the Jan. 6 riots are overcharged political pawns. This prosecution will surely backfire, however, serving only to boost distrust in government.

Predictions