Cheney Taunts Trump While Celebrating Oath Keeper Conviction

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Leaders of the House committee investigating the Capitol riot, which is working on its final report as the end of this Congress and the likely conclusion to the panel’s work approach, hailed convictions at a Capitol riot trial this week of seditious conspiracy. Oath Keepers leaders Stewart Rhodes and Kelly Meggs were both found guilty of the charge by jurors. Several others have separately pleaded guilty to the offense.

“Today’s convictions are a victory for the rule of law and reinforce the fact that the violence of January 6th included a deliberate attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election and block the transfer of presidential power,” riot panel chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and vice chair Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said. “The Select Committee’s investigation demonstrated that when Donald Trump summoned a mob to assemble in Washington, DC on January 6th, the Oath Keepers and other extremist groups heard that call and began to plan and coordinate. Individuals involved now face the consequences of taking part in a scheme to undermine American democracy. It’s vital that there be accountability for every vile aspect of January 6th and the events that led to that day’s tragedy. We applaud the Justice Department’s success today and support ongoing efforts to ensure that accountability at all levels.”

The sedition charge, which covers those who “conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States,” yet again confirms the gravely serious nature of what transpired. It wasn’t a spontaneous display of support for Trump that a small group drove partly out of hand. Rhodes and others involved with extremist groups specifically prepared for violent action ahead of January 6. Individuals among the Oath Keepers stockpiled weapons, hoping in part the then-president invoked a piece of federal law providing for the usage of private militias, a role they were prepared to fulfill — although they were also ready to take action themselves. If Trump was “just gonna let himself be removed illegally, then we should have brought rifles,” Rhodes said days after the riot. “We could have fixed it right then and there.”

The defense argued against the notion there was a specific plan that predicated the attack on the Capitol, although Rhodes proclaimed in December of 2020 that “we will have to rise up in insurrection (rebellion)” absent action by Trump. Numerous other participants in the riot previously outlined their intentions in extremely specific terms, including on social media. Some have also acknowledged their criminal liability or the possibility of it. The Justice Department wants six and a half years in prison for a Florida man who joined the riot and later posted on social media that “you’re not going to incarcerate me.” Prosecutors were also pushing for several years of jail for a Texas rioter who quipped in D.C. that “we’re all felons” now. Life comes at you fast.