Thread by @jsrailton

BREAKING: 9 #OathKeepers indicted for conspiracy, including 7 members of the tactical "stack" seen entering #Capitol in combat gear.

THREAD 1/

Source: cbsnews.com/news/capitol-r…

This is a major development! The conspirators come from:

-Ohio: Donovan Crowl, Jessica Watkins, Sandra Parker & Bennie Parker
-Florida: Graydon Young, Connie Meggs & Kelly Meggs
-North Carolina: Laura Steele
-Virginia: Thomas Caldwell

Purpose of the #OathKeepers conspiracy:
"to stop, delay, & hinder Congress'scertification of the Electoral College vote."

Manner & Means:
-agreed
-recruited
-trained
-equipped selves
-travelled,
-geared up
-moved in military formation,
-stormed #Capitol
-used comms
Etc.

4/ Overt Acts:

Beginning on November 9th, just after the election, Jessica Watkins of Ohio was recruiting people to be "fighting fit" by inauguration, and moving them over to the @Zello walkie-talkie app for communications.

5/ By late November, Watkins was messaging a recruit about the need to "Fight, kill and die for our rights"...

...and Thomas Caldwell of Virginia was saying to Watkins "I believe we will have to get violent to stop this"

6/ Its December and in Florida, Graydon Young gets involved in the local #OathKeepers chapter & pretty soon is recruiting others.

Donovan Crowl of Ohio goes to a "training camp" in North Carolina...

7/ "#Trump said It's gonna be wild!!!!!!! It's gonna be wild!!!!!!! He wants us to make it WILD that's what he's saying. He called us all to the #Capitol and wants us to make it wild!!! Sir Yes Sir!!!"

- #OathKeeper Kelly Meggs in Florida.

8/ Kelly Meggs posts on December 25th that he's ben named "state lead of Florida," presumably #OathKeepers.

Meanwhile Graydon Young contacts Florida combat training company about getting "Ultimate Training Munitions" rifle training for 4 people.

9/ As 2020 winds up the conspirators are busy sorting out "pre-strike" plans and discussing who will "schlep" weapons & discuss a "heavy" Quick Reaction Force, 10 minutes away from the #Capitol (presumably) so that they don't have to 'carry'

10/ Its Jan 6th. Leaving hotels in DC and VA, & driving up early in the morning the conspirators meet up.

After attending the #Trump rally they dress for battle & head to the #Capitol.

The @nytimes has a great narrative of this 👇

https://twitter.com/jsrailton/status/1355292295629856770

11/ Sidenote: the #OathKeepers donned their battle rattle behind a jumbo video screen blaring "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" at the Trump rally.

12/ When the #OathKeepers arrive at the #Capitol we get an iconic moment: the stack, captured by @rstevensbrody

Personal note: the stack has haunted me since saw the footage. So glad to see the indictments. Hoping for a better sleep tonight.

13/ The #OathKeepers make it inside the #Capitol. Someone directs Watkins on @Zello to make a citizens' arrest* of Congress...

Meanwhile Caldwell is on the west side w/others, storming past barricades to the balcony.

*(nb: citizens' arrests = fav. obsession of anti-gov groups)

14/ latest #OathKeepers indictment should be read in its entirety.

This conspiracy to disrupt the🇺🇸tradition of democratic, peaceful transfer of power... was encouraged and sanctioned (they believed) by Trump.

Indictment: justice.gov/usao-dc/case-m…