ADL estimates there are between 1,000 and 3,000 Oath Keepers, though the groups influence extends well beyond that number. [16] The FBI describes the Oath Keepers as a "paramilitary organization" and a "large but loosely organized collection of militia who believe that the federal government has been coopted by a shadowy conspiracy that is trying to strip American citizens of their rights. The Oath Keepers, who believe themselves to be " the last line of defense against tyranny ," are more aptly described as a conspiracy group, or extremist militia, who have set aside their anti . By September 2021, twenty members had been indicted for federal crimes, with four pleading guilty. Onegroup in particular, known as the Oath Keepers,has been gaining increasing public attention as one of the largest antigovernment extremist groups in the U.S. Known online as "July4Patriot," he made his anti-government videos during the administration of President Obama. Importantly, defendants never have the burden of proof at criminal trials. The far-right Oath Keepers who call New Jersey home Militia organization has at least 550 alleged members in New Jersey By Joey Fox, July 12 2022 6:42 pm The Oath Keepers were instrumental in the January 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. John Minchillo/AP. A member of the far-right Oath Keepers group who took part in the attack on the U.S. Capitol in January 2021 compared it to the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison in the French Revolution on . Some Oath Keepers have claimed that the government may even stage a terrorist attack or other incident as an excuse to declare martial law. The pledge, which refers to the honorable vow of service given by those in uniform, reminds Oath Keepers that they swore an oath to defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. By taking this pledge, Oath Keepers vow that they will refuse to cooperate with the tyrannical government by making a declaration that there are certain orders from superiors that they will refuse to obey. Mack is also the founder of Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA), and established the "County Sheriff Project" movement, both of whom reaffirm what they claim is the constitutional power to refuse to enforce federal laws. Under the title "DC OP: Jan 6 21," Rhodes stated in the chats that "quick reaction forces" outside Washington would be ready to respond if necessary and during the assault he directed members to rally on the southeast steps of the Capitol, from where they forcibly entered the building in a military-style "stack" formation. Tento web pouv k poskytovn slueb, personalizaci reklam a analze nvtvnosti soubory cookie. Graydon Young, the first Oath Keeper to plead guilty to conspiracy in connection to January 6, 2021, told a jury Monday in the trial of five alleged leaders of the far-right group that after the . His and others' actions sought to stop the transfer of power by disrupting a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes . The Oath Keepers have had more success in recruiting former military personnel, which is a much larger pool to draw from; many Oath Keepers speak of past military service. The first order, for example, that they refuse to follow is any order to disarm the American people. They also pledge to disobey any order to impose martial law or to support foreign troops on American soil. On October 27, he appeared on far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones program The Alex Jones Show and said that members of the Oath Keepers will be at polling stations to protect Trump voters from the left. We will NOT obey any orders which infringe on the right of the people to free speech, to peaceably assemble, and to petition their government for a redress of grievances. Though there is a formal national leadership, on the local level many Oath Keepers are essentially selforganized, forming official, semiofficial or informal groupings of Oath Keepers in specific, sometimes even overlapping, geographic areas. The charges followed a March 2011 vehicle stop by the Worcester Police Department due to an invalid license plate and driving with excessive speed. [88], On July 29, 2022, Justice Department prosecutors wrote in a court filing, "[] no government agent possessed actual authority to order the defendants' criminal actions, and, in any event, it would have been objectively unreasonable to rely on any such order." In his call for action, Rhodes asked all Oath Keepers to come to the Bundy Ranch and stand up against a corrupt government that would subvert us all, though a fear of drone strikes caused an Oath Keepers retreat, which tarnished the groups reputation among other anti-government extremists. [137], The group's activities in Ferguson led to them being labeled "vigilantes" by some journalists. [16] Under Rhodes's leadership in 2013, they instructed its members to form "Citizen Preservation" teams, which included militias, to operate in communities across the country meant to defend Americans against the government intentionally letting the country descend into chaos then declaring martial law and scrapping the constitution, stating that "They are preparing to control and contain us, and to shoot us, but not preparing to feed us. We will NOT obey any order to force American citizens into any form of detention camps under any pretext. Most research determined the Oath Keeper membership to be approximately 5,000 members, while leaked data showed Oath Keepers' rosters claiming membership of 38,000. Cleveland, Ohio, April 2010: Matthew Fairfield, president of the local Oath Keepers chapter, was arrested on a large number of explosives (and other) charges, including child pornography allegations. I've killed a lot, and if I need to I'll kill a whole bunch more. He was tracked down and arrested the following week in Houston, Texas, extradited back to Oklahoma, where (after several abortive attempts) he finally stood trial, was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison. At the White Hope mine in Lincoln, Montana, the U.S. Forest Service took issue with an unauthorized shed and surface disturbances related to the cutting of firewood. Pitcavage said the group probably. Last week, Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes offered to testify under oath before the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. As Black Lives Matter protests spread across the United States during the summer of 2020 in reaction to the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, Oath Keepers offered protection to various restaurants and businesses from alleged looters and arsonists and in several cases, they showed up to provide armed security. Once Americans are rendered defenseless, they will be enslaved by the New World Order. The Oath Keepers aim much of their propaganda at members of military and police, reminding them that they swore an oath to defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic, and asking them to pledge to disobey theoretical unconstitutional orders they might get from superiorsorders that explicitly or implicitly reference militiarelated conspiracy theories, such as mass gun confiscation or rounding up Americans to put them in concentration camps. Community Preparedness Teams (CPT) and Post-Disaster Response: In October 2013, the Oath Keepers announced the formation of civilization preservation cells (since renamed Community Preparedness Teams), which Rhodes claims are necessitated by the countrys impending (and possibly government-created) economic collapse. Sam Andrews, a member of the Oath Keepers, contended that the protestors calmed down when the Oath Keepers arrived at the protest. Virginia Lobby Day: On January 20, 2020, the Virginia Civilians Defense League (VCDL), hosted a gun rights Lobby Day on the steps of the state capitol in Richmond, Virginia, where a reported 22,000 people demonstrated, including various militia groups and other right-wing extremists. Jessica Watkins (R) Oath Keeper from Woodstock, Ohio was charged with conspiracy, obstruction, and sedition for her role in the military stack formation that broke into the capitol yelling "They can't hold us.". In the wake of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, Kroger has removed the Indiana Oath Keepers from a program that allows customers to direct donations to nonprofit organizations . [38] Writing in S.W.A.T. The Oath Keepers reacted on June 20, 2019, by stating: "Gov. ", Board member Richard Mack has said that despite the contributing role of southern U.S. sheriffs in preserving White supremacy, "constitutional sheriffs" could have protected civil rights icon Rosa Parks. People should not feel guilty for being born the way they are, and this includes us 'white male devils. The attorney representing Thomas Caldwell opened by trying to highlight some evidence-gathering mistakes made by the FBI, none of which tended to exculpate Caldwell. He was later indicted on felony charges of possession of a firearm. ", Asked if he is part-Jewish, Rhodes responded, "No, I'm not Jewish. Lawyers will tell jurors the Oath Keepers believed President Trump would federalize them on Jan. 6. While there is a formal national leadership, on the local level many Oath Keepers are essentially selforganized, and form official, semiofficial or informal groupings of Oath Keepers. Barbeau pleaded guilty to possessing a machine gun and was sentenced to 27 months in prison in September 2017. [120], The Oath Keepers' bylaws state that, "No person who advocates, or has been or is a member, or associated with, any organization, formal or informal, that advocates discrimination, violence, or hatred toward any person based upon their race, nationality, creed, or color, shall be entitled to be a member or associate member. [46][43] Following a joint report[47] from ISD and the Global Disinformation Index (GDI) on the funding operations of hate groups, an expert at the GDI submitted in their February 25, 2021, statement before the Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy of the Committee on Financial Services U.S. House of Representatives said: It can only be presumed that these funds, which listeners were notably able to deduct from their Federal taxes, went to transporting and lodging members of the group slated to participate in the ensuing riots. According to their website, "Oath Keepers is a non-partisan association of current and formerly serving military, police, and first responders, who pledge to fulfill the oath all military and . But these three veterans ultimately put patriotism and respect for American democracy above whatever drove them to join an organization like the Oath Keepers. Days before the January 6th United States Capitol attack, Oath Keepers' founder Stewart Rhodes appeared on a podcast and solicited charitable donations to the Oath Keepers Educational Foundation. [119] He posted on the Oath Keepers' website in what he termed a National Call to Action: "Oath Keepers, in the wake of the horrific attack it is time to step up nationwide and defend our schools against the threat of mass murder. It was their alternate home jersey in the first three seasons, but interestingly for the last season they made it their sole home jersey. [56], SoRelle, from Granville, Texas, general attorney for the Oath Keepers and close associate of Stewart Rhodes, has claimed to be the temporary leader of the Oath Keepers while founder Rhodes is in jail pending trial. They are not anti-government. "I'm a quarter Mexican. But the three defense opening statements and the defense attorneys cross-examination thus far suggest a steep climb toward an acquittal. Brian Ulrich from Guyton, Georgia, pled guilty to sedition conspiracy and obstruction on April 29, 2022. Though it is not alleged that Rhodes entered the Capitol building, Rhodes led Oath Keepers planning and coordination in advance of January 6 which included the formation of armed teams prepared to use force and he was at the building and allegedly in communication with members of the group during the insurrection. The attorney for Jessica Watkins admitted that the video evidence against her was damning, including conceding that Watkins stormed the Capitol and was caught on video saying, We took the fing Capitol. But he tried to suggest she might have had mixed motives on Jan. 6, pointing to Watkins taking medical supplies to help folks who may have been injured that day. [62] He is an Oath Keepers Board Member. Pouvnm tohoto webu s tm souhlaste. Samuel Corum/GI. Jailed Oath Keeper Fears For Safety Because She Is Transgender Jessica Watkins, An Oath Keeper Charged In The DC Attack, Fears Harsh Treatment Because She Is Transgender Her attorney argues in a new court motion that she is no threat and should be allowed to go home with a monitoring device. The list of orders the Oath Keepers vow to refuse reveals their extreme conspiratorial mindset, because the orders are not instructions likely to ever be actually handed down by officials; instead, they are reflective of the antigovernment conspiracy theories embraced by the extreme right. Oak Hills' Karson Cox and Academy of Careers and Exploration's Kayleigh Dupree are the Daily Press' latest Athletes of the Week. Oath Keepers is an American far-right anti-government militia whose members claim to be defending the Constitution of the United States. Connie Meggs, Oath Keeper from Dunnellon, Florida, and wife of Kelly Meggs, has been charged with conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, aiding and abetting obstruction, conspiracy, and entering restricted grounds. Providing Security: The Oath Keepers frequently solicit volunteers to provide security in a variety of different contexts. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. [125][126][127][128][129], In late November 2014, during the unrest in Ferguson, the Oath Keepers put out a national request to its members to help in the city after the grand jury decision was released in the case of the shooting of Michael Brown. Jason Van Tatenhove, a former spokesman for the Oath Keepers, wears a Descendents shirt while testifying at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. The group has also recruited from among people already involved in the anti-government extremist movement. "Oath Keepers defense attorneys have contended that despite the tough talk in private messages, the group was primarily in Washington D.C. to act as security details for VIPs at a pro-Trump rally . Oath Keepers. Links Oath Keepers and Proud Boys Ahead of Capitol Riot", "Prosecutors Use Gateway Pundit Interview, 'Magnetic Locks' Conspiracy Theory Against Marine Veteran Charged in Oath Keepers Case", "Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, Forceful on Jan. 6, Privately Are in Turmoil", "Fourth Oath Keeper in Capitol riot pleads guilty, cooperates with FBI", "January 6 committee subpoenas Proud Boys and Oath Keepers", "Oath Keepers sharing with January 6 investigators their efforts to find election fraud, communications with Trump allies", "DOJ charges 11 Oath Keepers, including leader, with seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 Capitol attack", "READ: Seditious conspiracy indictment related to US Capitol attack", "Leader of North Carolina Chapter of Oath Keepers Pleads Guilty to Seditious Conspiracy and Obstruction of Congress for Efforts to Stop Transfer of Power Following 2020 Presidential Election", "Oath Keeper pleads guilty to seditious conspiracy and will cooperate with Justice Department", "Member of Georgia Chapter of Oath Keepers Pleads Guilty to Seditious Conspiracy and Obstruction of Congress for Efforts to Stop Transfer of Power Following 2020 Presidential Election", "Oath Keeper members brought explosives to DC area around January 6 and had a 'death list,' prosecutors say", "Justice Department doesn't want Oath Keepers to blame Trump at trial", "Historic trial for Oath Keepers leader and his top lieutenants over January 6 set to begin | CNN Politics", "Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and four codefendants face jury in highest-profile Jan. 6 trial", "Jury seated in high-profile Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial after three days of questioning", "Witness: Oath Keepers head tried to reach Trump after Jan. 6", "Trial bumped for Dunnellon woman charged alongside husband in Capitol attack", "Titusville man and Oath Keepers' founder face new charges of sedition for Capitol riot role", "New charges accuse Ohio bartender of sedition with leader of the Oath Keepers in attack on U.S. Capitol", "Virginia man among Oath Keepers charged in seditious conspiracy during Jan. 6 Capitol riot", "Federal rangers face off against armed protesters in Nevada 'range war', "Bundy ranch dispute with federal land agency draws variety of foot soldiers", "Oregon mine that summoned armed guards in land dispute files appeal", "Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute", "Constitution advocates issue cease, desist order at mine", "Dispatch from White Hope Mine dispute in Montana", "Guns banned from Saturday's 'Patriot Prayer' in San Francisco", "Oath Keepers confirm militia will attend controversial Crissy Field rally", "Oath Keepers Website Warns Clinton Victory Could Lead To 'Outright Civil War', "The Weirdest Possible Outcomes For The Strangest Election In U.S. History", "Militia group calls on members to patrol polls on Election Day", "Militia threat shuts down Oregon Statehouse amid walkout", "Saturday Senate session canceled after potential threat of militia protest violence", "Oregon Capitol building closed as precaution amid partisan dispute", "Let's Check In on Those Oregon Republicans Who Fled the Capital, Shall We? He covers news, entertainment, and pop-culture topics. As part of their support for President Trump, the Oath Keepers have decried the deep state, an alleged network of institutions and bureaucracies within the federal government that a range of right-wing actors and groups believe is trying to undermine and even destroy the Trump administration.
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