Leader of a far-right militia, Stewart Rhodes, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his involvement in the US Capitol riot. Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, was convicted on charges of seditious conspiracy and other crimes related to the events of January 6, 2021.
Although Rhodes himself remained outside the Capitol during the riot, he coordinated with members of the militia who stormed the building. Prosecutors had requested a 25-year sentence, making this the longest punishment handed down to a Capitol rioter thus far.
This sentencing marks another important step in holding those responsible for the attack accountable. Last year, Rhodes was also convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding and tampering with documents or proceedings in one of the most high-profile trials related to the Capitol riot.
During the hearing, Rhodes exhibited little remorse, portraying himself as a political prisoner and asserting that the Oath Keepers were solely present to safeguard other protesters. However, Judge Amit Mehta dismissed these claims and expressed concern over Rhodes’ history of violent rhetoric, including a threat against former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The severity of the sentence reflects the gravity of the riot, which saw thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump, who contested the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, storming the US legislature.
Rhodes, a former US Army paratrooper and Yale-educated lawyer, established the Oath Keepers in 2009. Over time, the group’s armed members became ardent supporters of Trump, participating in various protests and standoffs. Numerous Oath Keepers were present during the Capitol riot.
Leading up to January 6, Rhodes initiated a campaign to reject the election results while ballots were still being counted, rallying his supporters with messages of preparing for a potential civil war. The Oath Keepers then amassed weaponry and equipment, storing them in a hotel room in Virginia shortly before the fateful day.
During the riot itself, Rhodes stayed outside the building, coordinating activities through phone calls and messages, while other Oath Keepers stormed the Capitol. Prosecutors described his role as that of a “battlefield general” during the chaos.
Defense lawyers argued that the weapons stash was never utilized and that the militia had a purely defensive objective. They intend to appeal the convictions.
In a related development, Kelly Meggs, leader of the Oath Keepers’ Florida chapter, was scheduled to be sentenced on the same day. Meggs, too, was convicted of seditious conspiracy, a seldom-used law from the Civil War era that carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.
It is worth noting that seditious conspiracy is distinct from treason, which requires a high burden of proof and can result in the death penalty as outlined in the US Constitution.
While three other Oath Keepers who stood trial alongside Rhodes and Meggs were acquitted of seditious conspiracy, they were convicted on lesser charges.
Judge Mehta ruled in favor of prosecutors, who argued for a harsher sentence for Rhodes under a “terrorism enhancement” provision, contending that the Oath Keepers sought to intimidate or coerce the US government.
Though most Capitol rioters were not affiliated with organized groups, the convictions and sentencing demonstrate ongoing efforts to address the attack. Over 1,000 individuals have been arrested in connection with the riot, with more than half pleading guilty to various crimes, including assault, theft, weapons charges, trespassing, and obstructing an official proceeding. Approximately 80 individuals have been found guilty following trials, according to the US Justice Department.
