FBI agent testifies that on Dec. 15, 2020, Stewart Rhodes said to Roger Stone's group text: "I feel like I’m taking crazy pills! … He must do it NOW before Jan. 6. And he needs to give the state legislators time to decertify before Jan. 6. In at least three of these states." Rhodes was calling on Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act, per agent. This comes before Trump began highlighting Jan. 6 himself with Dec. 19 "be wild" tweet

Special Agent Ryan McCamley, U.S. Capitol Police, testifying first at Oath Keepers trial today. Says he saw Stewart Rhodes for first time while surveilling D.C. pro-Trump protest on Dec. 12, 2020. Recognized him because he happened to have just read an article on the group. Incidentally, that was the same protest that ended with multiple people being stabbed -- including Proud Boy Jeremy Bertino, who pleaded guilty in a separate seditious conspiracy case yesterday wapo.st/3MeLXDu

James Lollis of S.C. being sentenced by Chief Judge Howell for Jan. 6 misdemeanor. DOJ says he deserves home confinement b/c he "taunted" police, put a sticker on building and a week later sent a message, apparently about Speaker Pelosi, saying, "hang the whore." Judge Howell asks, as she did this morning in another case, whether DOJ in "by allowing so many pleas to a charge of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the Capitol building ... has some responsibility" for perception that Jan. 6 was a just protest that "got out of hand"

AUSA on realtor Jenna Ryan ("I'm not going to jail"): "She is acknowledging responsibility for her physical presence inside of the U.S. Capitol. What I don’t see acknowledgement of is the full context of the event and the rest of what she did." Says there's no "remorse" Says Ryan's letter of apology shows she's still living in "something of a bubble," and jail time "may be something that bursts that bubble."

Brandon Fellows of New York one of several Jan. 6 defendants who now wants to represent himself. "Have you ever studied law?" Judge McFadden asks. "No -- well, the past three or four weeks," Fellows replies. Fellows was jailed in July for repeatedly harassing probation officers, so he's been doing that reading in the jail law library. "I think it's unwise for you to try to represent yourself," McFadden says. Fellows does want stand-by counsel, but judge notes that's not the same.

Prosecutor is now using post-Jan. 6 words of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes against member Jessica Watkins: "The leader of the very militia that Ms. Watkins has associated with is now instructing the militia members to disobey gov orders and if necessary take up arms" Defense attorney says Watkins is only "loosely associated" with the Oath Keepers, paid dues but was "more of a consultant" to national group. Her Ohio militia is "very small" and "she intends to disband that militia; she wants nothing to do with it anymore"

Judge in D.C. right now is weighing whether to release Gina Bisignano, a CA salon owner who admits she was at Capitol riot shouting into a bullhorn. Defense attorney says she "certainly drank the Trump kool-aid" and "was definitely there as a vocal protestor but did not participate in or incite violence." He says she's been shuttled to overcrowded jails around the country, including one where she had to sleep on the floor

Roger Stone sentencing has begun. Judge reminds observers to "maintain decorum" in courtroom and not "react audibly." Follow along here: wapo.st/32dUsaI Judge Berman Jackson says she reviewed both government sentencing recommendations, from the trial prosecutors and from their supervisor. "I note that the initial memo has not been withdrawn," she added.

Hearing today in case of Mike Flynn's business partner Bijan Kian -- defense says government hasn't produced all the evidence that makes Flynn an unreliable witness, given what's publicly known "That's the heart of our defense," Kian's attorney said -- Mike Flynn's unreliability. Govt. says they are sharing everything they have that could impeach Flynn.

SCO has filed motion opposing effort to get Manafort's trial delayed. Says Manafort has a personal laptop and phone in jail, doesn't have to wear uniform, has his own bathroom, shower and workroom access and has told people he *is* treated like a "VIP." Per special counsel, just days before asking for a continuance Manafort told someone, “I’ve gone through
all the discovery now.” Also said he is able to visit with his lawyers every day,
and that he has “all my files like I would at home.”