Ex-Oath Keeper calls conviction of group’s leader ‘necessary’

A former member of the Oath Keepers called the decision by a jury Tuesday to convict the founder of the group with sedition crimes “necessary” and warned about the potential for future violence in the next two years.

Stewart Rhodes was found guilty of seditious conspiracy after a nearly two-month-long trial that showcased the far-right extremist group’s efforts to keep Republican Donald Trump in the White House at all costs. Prosecutor argued Rhodes was the mastermind behind a violent plot to overthrow Joe Biden’s presidential win during the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Using dozens of encrypted messages, recordings and surveillance video, prosecutors made the case that Rhodes began shortly after the 2020 election to prepare an armed rebellion to stop the transfer of presidential power.

Over seven weeks of testimony, jurors heard how Rhodes rallied his followers to fight to defend Trump, discussed the prospect of a “bloody” civil war and warned the Oath Keepers may have to “rise up in insurrection” to defeat Biden if Trump didn’t act.

Jason Van Tatenhove, a former Oath Keepers member, testified to Congress earlier this year about Rhodes and the group, which Van Tatenhove left years ago. Tatenhove said Tuesday on “CUOMO” that the conviction was necessary.