This is a court filing by the Department of Justice in the case of insurrectionist Jessica Watkins. http://cdn.cnn.com/cnn/2021/images/02/11/04518323725.pdf
The document is a brief in support of pre-trial detention. It's an argument that Watkins is so dangerous that she should be denied bail. It states that as part of her leadership role in the Oath Keepers and an Ohio "militia" that she "trained and plotted for a moment like this." She described it as "our duty as Americans to fight, kill and die for our rights.” In the words of the brief: “This was the grave threat that Watkins recruited new militia members to fight against."
However, it also makes clear that Watkins awaited Trump's order to act and would not act without it. In the words of the brief: "As the inauguration grew nearer, Watkins indicated that she was awaiting direction from President Trump."
On November 9th she wrote: "Unless the POTUS himself activates us, it’s not legit . . . If Trump asks me to come, I will. Otherwise, I can’t trust it.”
She then made clear that she believed Trump had given his marching orders. Near the end of December she wrote: “we plan on going to DC on the 6th” because “Trump wants all able bodied Patriots to come.” She then planned with others equipment to bring and tactics to employ in attacking the Capitol. As she did so she stated: "await orders to enter DC under permission from Trump, not a minute sooner.”
On January 4th, two days before she wrote:
“It is CRITICAL that all patriots who can be in DC get to DC to stand tall in support of President Trump’s fight to defeat the enemies foreign and domestic who are attempting a coup, through the massive vote fraud and related attacks on our Republic. We Oath Keepers are both honor-bound and eager to be there in strength to do our part.”
I'm not sure what evidence would be required to convince some that these people were inspired by Trump to do what they did. That they operated under his marching orders, and awaited his approval to act with the violence they did.
Donald Trump is the only President in history who, again and again when specifically asked if he would commit to a peaceful transition, repeatedly refused to do so. Then for the first time in history we don't have a peaceful transition. As near as I can tell Trump's supporters just shrug that off some sort of crazy random happenstance.
