1/19
On 1/6/22 within the 1st hour of the assault on the U.S. Capitol, Merriam-Webster dictionary reported that the word “sedition” was at the top of its searches. More people were searching “sedition” than “coup” or “insurrection”. #velshi
On 1/6/22 within the 1st hour of the assault on the U.S. Capitol, Merriam-Webster dictionary reported that the word “sedition” was at the top of its searches. More people were searching “sedition” than “coup” or “insurrection”. #velshi
2/19
At the time, then-President-elect Joe Biden even said of the attack that “It borders on sedition”. It wouldn’t be the first or the last time “sedition” was used to describe the actions of the pro-Trumpers who breached the Capitol that day. #velshi
At the time, then-President-elect Joe Biden even said of the attack that “It borders on sedition”. It wouldn’t be the first or the last time “sedition” was used to describe the actions of the pro-Trumpers who breached the Capitol that day. #velshi
3/19
Now, a year later, the Justice department has filed actual sedition charges. 11 members of the far-right, anti-government extremist group, the Oath Keepers have been charged with “seditious conspiracy.” #velshi
Now, a year later, the Justice department has filed actual sedition charges. 11 members of the far-right, anti-government extremist group, the Oath Keepers have been charged with “seditious conspiracy.” #velshi
4/19
These are the most serious charges yet relating to that day but they may be the hardest to prove. Federal law describes seditious conspiracy as being: #velshi
These are the most serious charges yet relating to that day but they may be the hardest to prove. Federal law describes seditious conspiracy as being: #velshi
5/19
“If 2 or more persons in any State …of the U.S. conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law.” #velshi
“If 2 or more persons in any State …of the U.S. conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law.” #velshi
6/19
You’ll notice the wording emphasizes the use of force. The earliest use of sedition laws in Revolutionary America targeted anti-government speech, not violence. This week’s charges relate to a conspiracy to interfere directly with the operation of the government. #velshi
You’ll notice the wording emphasizes the use of force. The earliest use of sedition laws in Revolutionary America targeted anti-government speech, not violence. This week’s charges relate to a conspiracy to interfere directly with the operation of the government. #velshi
7/19
Let me say that again, “Interfere directly with the operation of the government”. The success of the prosecution rests on proving that the whole point of the insurrection was to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. #velshi
Let me say that again, “Interfere directly with the operation of the government”. The success of the prosecution rests on proving that the whole point of the insurrection was to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. #velshi
8/19
The federal indictment alleges that Oath Keeper’s leader, Stewart Rhodes, conspired with 10 other members to forcefully disrupt the certification of the Presidential election. Rhodes and team allegedly discussed deploying tactical gear and stockpiles of weapons. #velshi
The federal indictment alleges that Oath Keeper’s leader, Stewart Rhodes, conspired with 10 other members to forcefully disrupt the certification of the Presidential election. Rhodes and team allegedly discussed deploying tactical gear and stockpiles of weapons. #velshi
9/19
The group allegedly placed armed “rapid-response” teams on the outskirts of Washington D-C. In fact, back in November of 2020, just after Biden defeated Trump, the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers held training sessions for “unconventional warfare”. #velshi
The group allegedly placed armed “rapid-response” teams on the outskirts of Washington D-C. In fact, back in November of 2020, just after Biden defeated Trump, the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers held training sessions for “unconventional warfare”. #velshi
10/19
Much of the indictment centers around Stewart Rhodes, leader of this fantasy militia. Rhodes started the Oath Keepers in 2009. He’s a Yale Law graduate, an Army veteran and was a staffer for former Republican Congressman Ron Paul. #velshi
Much of the indictment centers around Stewart Rhodes, leader of this fantasy militia. Rhodes started the Oath Keepers in 2009. He’s a Yale Law graduate, an Army veteran and was a staffer for former Republican Congressman Ron Paul. #velshi
11/19
His estranged wife describes him as a gun-happy false prophet. She says Rhodes, “truly, truly believes in himself as a historical figure” – comparing himself to America's founding fathers and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. #velshi
His estranged wife describes him as a gun-happy false prophet. She says Rhodes, “truly, truly believes in himself as a historical figure” – comparing himself to America's founding fathers and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. #velshi
12/19
His ex adds that he’s been living in a 900-square-foot cabin, using Oath Keepers donations to buy weapons and military gear for years. #velshi
His ex adds that he’s been living in a 900-square-foot cabin, using Oath Keepers donations to buy weapons and military gear for years. #velshi
13/19
In the weeks leading up to Jan. 6th, Rhodes allegedly sent text messages to an Oath Keepers group-chat saying, “We aren’t getting through this without a civil war.” And “It will be a bloody and desperate fight. We are going to have a fight. That can’t be avoided.” #velshi
In the weeks leading up to Jan. 6th, Rhodes allegedly sent text messages to an Oath Keepers group-chat saying, “We aren’t getting through this without a civil war.” And “It will be a bloody and desperate fight. We are going to have a fight. That can’t be avoided.” #velshi
14/19
Despite his militant attitude and arsenal of weapons, he apparently isn’t very handy with a gun. His ex-wife telling NBC News, “He’s not a very good shot.” Rhodes wears an eye patch after apparently dropping a loaded gun and shooting himself in the eye. #velshi
Despite his militant attitude and arsenal of weapons, he apparently isn’t very handy with a gun. His ex-wife telling NBC News, “He’s not a very good shot.” Rhodes wears an eye patch after apparently dropping a loaded gun and shooting himself in the eye. #velshi
15/19
Unlike so many charged so far, Rhodes, himself, did not enter the Capitol building on Jan. 6. Rather, he stands accused of helping to orchestrate the violence. Over the last year, Rhodes has denied wrongdoing & he entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment. #velshi
Unlike so many charged so far, Rhodes, himself, did not enter the Capitol building on Jan. 6. Rather, he stands accused of helping to orchestrate the violence. Over the last year, Rhodes has denied wrongdoing & he entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment. #velshi
16/19
For now, these are allegations, and an important part of THIS democracy that we are trying to preserve is the presumption of innocence, and a fair trial. #velshi
For now, these are allegations, and an important part of THIS democracy that we are trying to preserve is the presumption of innocence, and a fair trial. #velshi
17/19
Seditious conspiracy is a rare and difficult charge to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s been successful only a handful of times in American history. There is one instance worth considering, however. Back in 1954. #velshi
Seditious conspiracy is a rare and difficult charge to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s been successful only a handful of times in American history. There is one instance worth considering, however. Back in 1954. #velshi
18/19
Armed extremists burst into the Capitol. They went straight for the chambers, looking for members of Congress. Violence & pandemonium ensued. The rioters were part of a group of Puerto Rican Nationalists who opened fire inside the Capitol, injuring several lawmakers.#velshi
Armed extremists burst into the Capitol. They went straight for the chambers, looking for members of Congress. Violence & pandemonium ensued. The rioters were part of a group of Puerto Rican Nationalists who opened fire inside the Capitol, injuring several lawmakers.#velshi
19/19
I’m no lawyer, but for the DOJ to even *consider* sedition charges mean prosecutors feel confident of convictions & the DOJ is serious about getting to the bottom of an incident that could have overthrown a legitimate election, and cost us our cherished democracy. #velshi
I’m no lawyer, but for the DOJ to even *consider* sedition charges mean prosecutors feel confident of convictions & the DOJ is serious about getting to the bottom of an incident that could have overthrown a legitimate election, and cost us our cherished democracy. #velshi
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
