Landmark Sentence: Oath Keepers Founder Stewart Rhodes Convicted in Capitol Attack
The Verdict
In a landmark ruling, Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers extremist group, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The aim of the conspiracy was to keep President Joe Biden out of the White House after his victory in the 2020 election.
Rhodes, aged 58, is the first person to be convicted of seditious conspiracy related to the Capitol attack, with his sentence being the longest handed down so far in the hundreds of cases linked to the event 1.
Significance of the Conviction
The conviction represents a significant milestone for the Justice Department’s investigation into the Jan. 6 incident. This investigation has already led to similar convictions against top leaders of two far-right extremist groups who authorities believe arrived in Washington prepared to fight to keep then-President Donald Trump in power 1.
Attorney General Merrick Garland affirmed the Justice Department's commitment to holding those criminally responsible for the attack accountable.
Implications for Future Cases
In a first for a Jan. 6 case, the judge agreed with the Justice Department that Rhodes’ actions should be punished as “terrorism,” a decision that could foreshadow lengthy sentences for other far-right extremists who have also been convicted of this rarely used charge 1.
The Defendant
Prior to the sentencing, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta described Rhodes as a continuous threat to the United States and its democracy, emphasizing the danger of his charisma and intelligence, and expressing fear that similar incidents could occur in the future 1.
Rhodes did not express remorse or appeal for leniency during his opportunity to address the judge. Instead, he claimed to be a “political prisoner” and attempted to minimize his actions on Jan. 6.
Judge Mehta responded that Rhodes was not prosecuted for his political beliefs, but for actions that constituted an “offense against the people of the country.”
Other Related Convictions
Another Oath Keeper, Florida chapter leader Kelly Meggs, who was convicted alongside Rhodes, received a 12-year sentence. Meggs expressed regret for his involvement in the riot but maintained he never planned to enter the Capitol. Other Oath Keepers are expected to receive their sentences in the coming week 1.
The Case
Rhodes was found guilty by a Washington, D.C., jury of leading a plot to disrupt the transfer of presidential power forcibly. Prosecutors claimed that Rhodes and his followers recruited members, amassed weapons, and set up teams that could ferry guns into the capital if needed to support their plot 1.
This case is one of the most significant brought by the government concerning the Capitol riot, as it sought to demonstrate that the attack by right-wing extremists was not a spontaneous protest but the result of weeks of plotting to overturn Biden’s victory 1.
Rhodes, who founded the Oath Keepers in 2009, built it into one of the largest far-right antigovernment militia groups in the U.S., although it appears to have weakened in the wake of the Oath Keepers’ arrests 1.
Sentencing and Appeals
The judge agreed to prosecutors’ request for a so-called “terrorism enhancement” — which can lead to a longer prison term — under the argument that the Oath Keepers sought to influence the government through “intimidation or coercion”1.
Prosecutors had initially sought a 25-year sentence for Rhodes, arguing that a lengthy sentence was necessary to deter future political violence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Rakoczy pointed to interviews and speeches given by Rhodes from jail repeating the claim that the 2020 election was stolen and saying it would be again in 2024. In recent remarks, Rhodes called for “regime change”1.
Rhodes plans to appeal his conviction1.
Future Implications
This case sets a critical precedent for the interpretation of seditious conspiracy and the application of the "terrorism enhancement" in sentencing. Its outcome could potentially shape how the justice system responds to similar cases of political violence, especially those involving far-right extremist groups. This case highlights the threat posed by such groups to democracy and underscores the government's resolve to hold individuals accountable for actions that threaten democratic institutions and processes.
It is also a stern reminder to all citizens that any form of violence, especially political violence, is unacceptable and will be met with the full force of the law. The actions of Rhodes and his group have set a disturbing precedent that future elections may be met with such extreme resistance, leading to potential unrest and instability.
The ruling sends a clear message to similar groups that the U.S. government will take a hard line against any threats to its democratic institutions. It also indicates a shift in the legal approach towards such incidents, treating them not just as isolated criminal acts but as forms of terrorism that warrant stringent penalties.
The appeal process will likely be closely watched, as it could provide further insights into how the courts interpret and apply the law in such cases. The result could either reinforce or challenge the precedent set by this landmark case.
The case also raises questions about the future of the Oath Keepers and similar groups. The arrests and convictions of its leaders may weaken these groups, but it could also galvanize them or lead to the emergence of new groups. It underscores the need for continuous vigilance and robust law enforcement to prevent such threats to democracy.