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LIVE: Follow along as the Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial comes to a close

by Brandi Buchman for Daily Kos Liveblogs

Daily Kos Staff

Friday, Nov. 18, 2022 Friday, Nov. 18, 2022 at 4:55:52am PST

For the last seven weeks, the Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy has unfolded at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., and on Friday, prosecutors will finally make their closing arguments. Live-blog starts between 9-9:30 a.m. ET.

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 8:20:13 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Woodward: You may find proof of multiple conspiracies... but if you conclude that Meggs was part of some other uncharged conspiracy and not the conspiracy as alleged in Counts 1, 2, 4, you must acquit
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

We are ending for the day since a juror, if i heard correctly, asked to end a bit early to accommodate their schedule for the night. We return on Monday with closing arguments for Harrelson, Watkins, Caldwell and then onto deliberations (eventually!!)
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 8:05:07 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Was Meggs trying to stop the certification or was he trying to move people out of the Capitol so the certification could continue.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Woodward argues if Rhodes actually believed having rifles would have made a difference or hyperbole. He points to testimony from Greene below to support. https://t.co/9mx4KnSK3y
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 7:55:52 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Meggs shows jurors a bulletin from USCP offering a warning of protests for Jan 6 and noting a planned march to the Capitol.
This, Woodward says, was a March that Meggs had a pass to attend.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Woodward shows jurors a video from outside the capitol, as oath keepers are about to enter. Woodward says the full video he's playing shows people chanting "we want trump" and its peaceful
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Woodward says Kelly Meggs didn't open those doors. Meggs was in the building for roughly 20 minutes and vast majority of the time he was in the rotunda...
Meggs asks jurors to watch the videos they will have with them during deliberations
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Then Woodward says, there's also evidence Meggs steps outside of the rotunda and approaches the speaker's office
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

We dont dispute that Officer Dunn didnt think Meggs was being helpful. But what we do dispute is whether Mr. Meggs thought he was being helpful. Showing jurors picture of OKers incl. Meggs with backs facing Dunn, Dunn is behind them. Meggs isn't doing anything threatening here
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

That last piece about Lazarus that Woodward just made was the attempt by Haller yesterday in fits and starts to make the claim that Lazarus wasn't near Dunn as he claimed but her witness and her argumentation were super unclear and arguably very unconvincing as a result
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 7:19:31 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Woodward shows the "Save America March" VIP pass reminds jurors: OKers had to go through security to get the VIP protected area that day. He pulls up pic Dolan took of security at rally
Woodward: Dolan wasn't taking a picture of security, he was probably taking pic of Alex Jones
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Woodward says, regarding the Save America March on 1/6:

This was an event where the president was speaking, this was an event where the secret service was responsible for the president's safety. Who attended that event? Kelly Meggs

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 7:14:45 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

On calls, in mtgs, here is vitriol, rhetoric and discussion about how frustration with result of the election.
Woodward questions whether Abdullah Rasheed's testimony should be trusted because he did not record the full meeting
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

The Nov. 9 GoTo Meeting was not about Jan. 6, Woodward argues. They didn't have a call months before Jan. 6 to plan for it.. they were having calls on the eve of the Nov. 14 Million MAGA March.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Woodward argues that the text messages presented by the DOJ were out of context.

And again he says, "there was not one mention of security in [DOJ's] closing argument"
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Woodward says Siekerman said he went back to chats and found no plans to stop the certification of the electoral college
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 6:54:44 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Today they ask you to believe these defendants were conspiring for weeks, not months, and that on Jan. 6 when the opportunity arose, they 'threw their bodies at the cause'
Well, that's the gov'ts theory and you know our theory but what's most important is: what is the evidence
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Woodward: At the start of this trial we told you we would set the scene: The summer of 2020. And what did witnesses tell us about summer of '20?
Dolan said he spent hours in garage reading the vitriol, he says.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

We ought to encourage discussion and debate about the integrity of our elections, Woodward says, so our government does survive.
The machinations of our democracy are slow-moving on purpose, debate takes time. We carefully consider different view points and...
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

The skeptics of the results of the 2020 election had every right to speak their mind, Woodward says.
But these defendants are not charged with fomenting an insurrection and that's because there were 1000s of ppl (at Capitol)
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Woodward: This case is about what Kelly Meggs did and why he was in DC on Jan. 6.
This is why we have to walk through not just what the text messages said, but what the ppl around Meggs, tied to Meggs, and who testified at trial, said about Meggs
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 6:46:10 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Rak. spoke of alternative lawful purposes, they were attending a protest, that they were watching POTUS speak, or escorting VIPS but not "Security" specifically
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

So why so reticent to say the word "security?" Because that's what was actually happening, Woodward says.
The "big one" was the provision of security at an event, he argueshttps://t.co/p6bBHQq9Ua
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 6:45:08 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Before we begin, Judge Mehta instructs jurors about Bright's statement about the legality of Trump invoking Insurrection Act. There's no evidence before you about legality or illegality of POTUS acting under IA, just Rhodes' understanding, that's all that can be relied on

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 6:40:21 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Lunch is over. Jurors will return soon. Up next for closing arguments is Stanley Woodward, the defense attorney for Oath Keeper Kelly Meggs, a member of the first stack that breached the Capitol and claims he was “helping” overwhelmed police officers.

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 5:30:33 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Bright argues to jurors that a specific plan was never found to stop the certification/attack the Capitol. He moves to texts where Rhodes says, "come to the capitol" and gives directions to Greene (whip) Before Rhodes came to Cap, he was eating chicken wings in his hotel.

The Oath Keepers were not the tip of the iceberg that led this, this day, Bright says of the breach of Capitol.

He says the evidence he's seen and heard suggests Oath Keepers didn't even know who was in the building.

Bright tells jury this case is about perspective: "Do you use your eyes to see good or evil?"
When Rhodes said sic semper tyrannis, he's not celebrating Oath Keepers inside the Capitol because, Bright claims, Rhodes didn't know they were inside yet.https://t.co/3jUUAXv5sz
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

I don't buy it, Bright says. I say it as a real person because I don't believe an implicit....
Nestler objects.
Mehta instructs jurors to ignore what Bright says he personally believes.
Bright reorients:n Govt couldn't make its case unless it relied on implicit agreement
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Bright: If you're a battlefield general to start the revolution, who are you going to send in to start the revolution? Caldwell? Watkins? Not Lee Maddox (who testified but is not charged w/any crimes) who survived IED explosions, stabbings etc.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

As Bright offers another personal opinion about the honesty of the witnesses, including Michael Greene aka Whip.

Judge Mehta: Ladies and gentlemen, disregard Mr. Bright's view of honesty. That's your decision to make.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 5:04:52 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

There was no conspiracy, Bright (Def atty for Rhodes) urges, "50 witnesses and every one of them have answered to big 3 charges, no, no no, no plan."
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Objection by Nestler (Presuming Nestler is objecting because its been established that parties cant argue IA as matter of law since IA is established, not up for debate but I'm not sure)
Mehta overrules. Bright tries again, another obj. by Nestler and Mehta has Bright reframe
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rhodes thought the election was unconstitutional so he urged the president to act on a legal doctrine. The specter of that has now been explained, Bright says, moving forward to Jan. 5 and Jan. 6.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 4:56:24 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Bright urges jurors to go back to the transcript of the Nov. 9 GoTo Meeting.
Govt wil argue it was pre-planning but it wasn't, Bright says.
Rhodes urging OKers to crib from the Serbian method was not Rhodes, but someone else saying this is how its donehttps://t.co/PEhdDzemme
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

There was nothing to do stop the transfer of power that day, they were invited to do events to do security, Bright says.

Then he says, people come to DC to vent their anger and a lot of people were angry about the results of the election and that's all that happened
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Bright says you heard how defendants described how they were terrified about being attacked by counter-protesters and they had fear of being at the Trump rallies and being attacked on the way home.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Bright says at no time during the trial did witnesses testify that there was an explicit plan to stop certification.
They were there incase "antifa" attacked, Bright says, quoting the defendants
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Bright: There was a lot of political rhetoric but it was not a meeting of the minds. Venting is not a meeting of minds. Expressing hatred and anger is not a meeting of the minds in this country. Is it inappropriate? Yeah, a lot of it....
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Bright continues... "Something we wished shouldn't be done? Absolutely. But all of them talking about the same topic is not a meeting of the minds."

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 4:39:19 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Bright: I didnt agree with what I saw on Jan. 6 but I was happy to get that call. it's been an arduous journey... but there are misconceptions about the Oath Keepers and they were perpetrated by the media and their rush to judge them...
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

The history of the Oath Keepers and what they did is a history of legality, Bright tells jurors as he makes his opening remarks for Stewart Rhodes.
He told jurors OKers were invited by businesses in other locations, it was the protesters who didn't want them there he clarifies
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Bright: They watched their tv, the newscasts of what happened to Breonna Taylor. They watched the riots. Bright says and qualifies, most were not peaceful but riots.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Bright says Trump had to be taken into his bunker in the White House during protests here.
(Trump was reportedly in a secure area in WH during protests for a very short period of time and officials told reporters the danger was never significant)
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Bright says he's not sure how conspiracy charges could be true because "from the outset, Jan. 6 wasn't even an inkling in anyone's eye"
The Nov. 9 GoTo meeting, he claims, no one had an idea that Trump would send out a tweet saying come to DC on the 6th, it'll be wild
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 4:31:22 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Now James Lee Bright, defense attorney for Stewart Rhodes, is making his closing arguments.

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 4:30:43 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Defense atty Fischer made much of some of these photos still being on Caldwell's phone after his arrest. You know why Caldwell went to FB first. It was the easiest evidence for law enforcement to gather.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rakoczy shows jurors a series of texts between Harrelson and Meggs that they forgot to delete after Jan. 6.
They are specifically talking about deleting messages and they talk of "clearing out all of the talk" of "hiding the tools and shit"
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rakoczy explains each a bit more in depth including the objectives. This will be spelled out in jury instructions but she summarizes..
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Under conspiracy to obstruct official proceeding, the objective is simple a) obstruct the certification
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

The evidence doesn't have to show that the defendants made an explicit agreement, AUSA Kathryn Rakoczy emphasizes as she explains the conspiracy objectives (listed above this tweet in thread)
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

The conspiracy stretched from Nov 2020-Jan 2021 but the charges more focused on the 6th, those go from Dec 2020 to Jan 2021 because that's what the evidence shows
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

A defendant's unlawful intent is not negated by the simultaneous presence of another purpose for the defendant's conduct.
This is important instruction for jurors, Rakoczy says before explaining why.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rakoczy continues:"...IF YOU FIND that these defendants joined together for the unlawful purpose of stopping the transfer of power by force."
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Agent Salke testified about how hard he tried to keep those doors closed but was unable because was overwhelmed, battered
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

After Jan 6 charges: Rhodes, Meggs, Harrelson and Caldwell are charged with obstructing justice for deleting evidence
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

She then remarks, "what a difference" when displaying a photo of those officers who were forced to come in to ensure the building was secure after the breach.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

The evidence has shown for weeks, if not months, that prior to 1/6, these defendants banded together and agreed to do whatever is necessary, including using force and violence to stop that election from being finalized. On Jan. 6 they struck, Rakoczy says.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

That is what these defendants did. They conspired to and THEY DID halt the transfer of power on Jan. 6, AUSA Rakoczy says
That is unacceptable and that is criminal, she adds
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rakoczy: That is why the only verdict that is consistent with the evidence and demanded by justice is to find each and every one of these defendants guilty of seditious conspiracy, of obstruction of congress, and of all the counts against them.

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 3:58:55 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

We are back.

Rhodes wrote on night of 1/6 : "Patriots it was a long day but a day when patriots began to tand. stand now or kneel forever."
Meggs: "We aren't quitting. We're reloading"
Vallejo: We'll be back @ 6am to do it again.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Then the defendants continued to make plans to oppose the government by force after Jan. 6. From 1/6 to 1/20 he spent over $17k on firearms and equipment. Joshua James (pled guilty to SC already) joined Rhodes,
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

"Fortunately, law enforcement stepped in," Rakozcy says. Thank god."
Arrests were made on Jan. 17 and it was law enforcement that disrupted the conspirators plans.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

But as law enforcement closed in, the defendants took steps to conceal their actions.

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 3:35:47 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Jurors are now on a 15 minute break.

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 3:33:06 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

If there was ever doubt in your mind that OKers were going to use the weapons at QRF to breach, look at what OKer Ed Vallejo said in that moment
While OKers are pushing inside, Vallejo is texting "qrf is standing by"
Knowing that rioters are beaching. He's offering the firepower.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

And it wasn't just talk, Rakoczy tells jurors.
It was action. OKers didn't just talk of using force, but put it into action.
She plays a video of Jessica Watkins telling people to "move" and messages to the chat flowing a moment before this urging "patriots to storm the capitol"
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

She's not with 30 or 40 people in that moment. She's talking her co-conspirators from across the nation that were in DC that day, Rakoczy says.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

When Rhodes told DC OP chat at 1:25 on 1/6 "Pence is doing nothing. As I predicted" ...that was the moment, that was the "go time" moment, Rakoczy says
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

You know the conference call was connected between Meggs, Michael Greene and Stewart Rhodes.
Both Rhodes and Greene testified about that call. They claimed they didn't talk to Meggs. But they do so in ways that contradicted each other.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Meggs marched up those steps minutes after that phone call. Is it really possible that it was a coincidence that Rhodes, Greene, and Meggs have this call, that nothing is said, and then Meggs goes marching into the Capitol?
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rakoczy plays video for jurors of Oath Keepers forcing their way inside the Capitol. We hear the chants of "heave, heave, heave"
When they entered the rotunda, a group of 14 ppl in a stack divided methodically.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

We see an image of Meggs and OKers in front of Officer Harry Dunn as he defends the Capitol.
Rakoczy shows a text Meggs replied to when someone said they wanted to see Pelosi's head rolling down the Capitol steps.
"We looked for her," Meggs wrote.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rakoczy shows video of Watkins, OKers in the hallway of the senate with the mob, the door to the senate floor is literally visible in the footage
Push push push get in there they can't hold us, Watkins screams in this moment.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rakoczy: They think they are self-anointed to stand up for what they think is the real version of the law, what they think is the real version of the election. the way they have appointed themselves to be above the law is the reason they have found themselves here today.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

But, Rakoczy says, it is the action of defendants like Caldwell that pushed up that scaffolding that contributed to the police being completely and totally overwhelmed by the mob.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rakoczy shows video and pictures from Caldwell during the riot, raising his fist in solidarity as rioters push police back
But for Mr Caldwell, Rakoczy says, "Jan 6 happened and I had nothing to do with it."
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Its hard to watch that but it completely captures this conspiracy, Rakoczy says of the James video clip. (He has pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy)
It was their sense of entitlement that led to these actions, that led to the rage and the violence.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rako: If the defendants wanted to help, they shouldn't have breached the bldg in the 1st place. THey were completely overwhelmed and abused officers.
They entered the building to further their goal to stop the transfer of power, including force, to stop or halt the certification
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 3:02:53 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

But, Rakoczy says, you dont just need their words.
Because you also have evidence of their conduct.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Why? Because the NC OKers had a mobile QRF in a van at that hotel and wanted to keep eyes on all of their weapons inside of it.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Meggs even made the water rally point in the event the bridge was closed.
Caldwell was the OKers source near DC who was preparing to secure a boat.
The boat was meant to ferry heavy weapons into the waiting arms of OKers in DC, texts said
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rakoczy says of Caldwell, he denied having anything to do with 1/6 despite planning the qrf, despite being at the Capitol.
"For him it was 'a good time'," Rakoczy recalls Caldwell's testimony.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rhodes denied being part of these plans, denied being in touch w/ NC OKers about 1/6.
But, Rakoczy shows text Rhodes wrote "added some of the NC leaders and experienced prior op veterans from NC."
Rak: Why distance yourself, why lie? Unless the truth is just too damning.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rakozcy shows evidence of texts where Watkins, Meggs ask about QRF for 1/6.
Watkins said she didn't get a response and left weapons behind with Donovan Crowl's family in Va, but she also said she WOULD HAVE brought them if she could have.
"This is an agreement in a conspiracy."
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

You saw the rifle that Terry Cummings said he brought. The rifle that Jason Dolan brought. Dolan told you that in the largest case of weapons at the hotel, it contained Harrelson's weapons and it was big enough to fit 2 long guns.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Terry Cummings said he had never seen so many guns in one place since he served in the military.
Think about that, Rakoczy says.
And you know what these guns were for. For military training.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

On the way to DC, Meggs wrote: We are ready. Should be in DC by noon.
What were they ready for?
Meggs sent a link to a video of himself, Harrelson firing rifles at targets with pictures of humans drawn on them
"We are ready for battle," she recalls OKers saying
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 2:54:31 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

That's when Rhodes issued his open letters to Trump, calling on him to invoke the Insurrection Act, throw out the election, have the military and the militia to throw out election results because they don't like the results.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

So, Rakoczy says, they began to crystallize their focus. Moving from just steps to oppose the lawful transfer of power by force but more specifically to stop the certification.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Jurors see texts from Caldwell
"It begins for real on Jan. 5 Jan. 6 when we mobilize in the streets... let them try to certify some crud on Capitol hill...
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

"We will gather and discuss wednesday (the big one)" Meggs told the OK FL DC OP chat.
They were clearly advocating to stop the transfer of power, Rakoczy says, adding: But they were still careful with their words, we saw evidence of their paranoia that the govt was listening.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 2:44:16 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Meggs told people in thechat: anyone not on call tonight, we've been issued a call to action to DC, this is the moment we signed up for
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

We do not have some of the same msgs for Harrelson as we have for Meggs, Watkins.
He deleted all of the content on his phone prior to the DC operation. But what we know is he organized ops leaders and planning and then led OKers into the Capitol chanting: "Treason!"
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rhodes put fwd a plan then (like on 11/9 go to mtg) and told them to be prepared to take up arms if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act to fight to stay in power not withstanding the election result.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Consider Thomas Caldwell's words. After the Nov. event he told Oath Keepers they would need to be ready for "next time." Caldwell said he "hoped" there would be violence "next time."
Rakoczy says this is evidence of their efforts heading toward the 6th.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

He seemed indigant to have these words quoted to him, Rakoczy says, highlighting his hypocrisies.
Meggs said "we are the militia. we are the people. we make the rules."
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 2:39:54 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

The attack on the Capitol was a means to an end, Rakoczy says, that end being to use any means necessary up to and including force to stop the lawful transfer of power
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

As early as Nov. 9, Rhodes was talking about there being QRF or quick reaction forces, an armed force component to back up this plan.
Abdullah Rasheed called the Nov. 9 "terrifying"
"The more I listened... the more it sounded like we were going to war against the U.S. govt"
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

And its not just what they said on this call. Its what they did in the weeks that followed Nov. 9, Rakoczy says.
Watkins, Meggs started recruiting people to their cause
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 2:32:47 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Rakoczy: The evidence has shown they meant to use any means necessary, up to force, to stop the transfer of power. That is a conspiracy.
A conspiracy is simply an agreement between 2 or more persons to join together to accomplish some unlawful purpose.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

The attack on the Capitol was a means to an end, Rakoczy says, that end being to use any means necessary up to and including force to stop the lawful transfer of power
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 2:18:51 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Rakoczy moves to defendant Kelly Meggs aka OK Gator 1, the leader of the FL Oath Keepers.
As early as the night of the election, he was going to go on a killing spree and that Nancy Pelosi was going to be first.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Jessica Watkins, "Captain" or "Cap," you heard in her own words, for her, a Biden administration posed an "existential threat" and do deal with this threat, she participated in this conspiracy and brought her own team of 4 from OH to join in the 1/6 operation
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rako: These are the roles the defendants played and there's not much dispute of who they are. But the question for you ladies and gentlemen, is to what end? What was the goal and design of this operation?
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 2:09:59 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

Rakoczy: Defendant Rhodes called for war with all of its horrors and violence to oppose the results of a presidential election.
Think about that. For over 200 yrs prior, our country enjoyed a peaceful and routine transfer of presidential power.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rak: They outfitted this operation w/an arsenal of deadly weapons that they transported to this area from the 4 corners of this nation. On 1/6, they seized the opportunity to stop the transfer of power by attacking the Capitol, the seat of the very democracy they sought to upend.
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

Rakoczy says she will break up her closing argument into three sections:
The role defendants played
The evidence of what they agreed to do and what they did do
The charges that they face
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) November 18, 2022

UPDATE: Friday, Nov 18, 2022 · 2:01:58 PM +00:00 · Brandi Buchman

There is a distinct sense in the courthouse today that something big is afoot and indeed, this is a historic day in a trial that carries significant weight.

There is another group of Oath Keepers that go on trial soon (they were split from this group because of courtroom logistics) and then the Proud Boys' seditious conspiracy trial begins in mid-December.

Judge Amit Mehta has taken the bench and the jurors will enter momentarily.