Local militias believed then-President Donald Trump had sought their support ahead of the U.S. Capitol riots, advocates advocating for one paramilitary group leader said.
The council of Jessica Watkins, of the extremist group “Oath Keepers”, claims that she and others believed Trump’s false allegations of widespread election fraud because of the ‘rhetoric of the president, his supporters of Congress and the right-wing media. “
The allegations were made in new court documents, released Sunday, that want to release Watkins’ release while she is awaiting trial on several charges related to the January 6 disorder when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.
In the latest lawsuit in the case, her attorneys allege that Trump “held rallies designed to incite his supporters” after losing the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden.
“His supporters said he would call on the Insurrection Act to use the military to secure his continued presidency, despite the election results, which they say are largely fraudulent because of the rhetoric of the president, his congressional supporters. and the right-wing media. “
At least seven members of the Oath Keepers militia are facing charges of allegations that they coordinated the assault on Congress using messaging programs and social media while wearing tactical equipment, according to the Department of Justice.
Watkins’ attorneys allege that the possible invocation of the Insurrection Act “took hold in the online community of Trump supporters” and “led many local militias to believe they would play a role if it did.”
“In November, [Watkins] ‘believed that the President of the United States had appealed to her and her small militia group to support the President and the Constitution and that she was ready to serve her country in that way,’ ‘according to their latest submission.
Watkins held a “VIP pass” for the Jan. 5 and 6 rallies she attended to provide “speakers during the rally, to guide lawmakers and others to march to the Capitol on the orders of the then president, ”her lawyers added.
Getty / FBI
Investigators also allege that Watkins acted on Trump’s orders.
“As the inauguration approaches, Watkins has indicated that she is awaiting President Trump’s guidance,” reads a DOJ criminal complaint filed earlier this month.
Unlike most of the rioters in the capital, prosecutors argue, Watkins’ actions were planned in advance. Authorities said Watkins “practiced and planned” to obstruct congressional proceedings if Trump “activated” them – a word she used in a text sent in November.
Prosecutors allege that involvement with Watkins extends beyond providing security.
An affidavit in support of the complaint alleges that she forcibly joined and encouraged those who forcibly entered the Capitol Building with the aim of obstructing the Senate vote to defeat Joe Biden. confirm.
Several of those facing charges of violence at the Capitol have said they follow Trump’s orders.
Trump was acquitted earlier this month of inciting the insurgency in his second indictment because his fellow Republicans – other than these seven – voted not to be convicted. The final vote of 57-43 made the prosecution 10 short as the required two-thirds majority.
The former commander-in-chief may still face criminal charges away from Congress. He was charged earlier this week with a new lawsuit and again accused him of violence.