This is the most direct language of federal prosecutors that relates Trump’s requests for support in Washington, DC, to the more militant aspects of the insurgency.
Earlier, the Justice Department has resisted linking Trump’s words so closely with the extremist group’s actions during the riot. This week, at least four defendants have argued in court that they followed Trump’s directions to go to the Capitol building on Jan. 6.
The Justice Department’s presentation continued: “His concern to take action without his support was made clear in a text of 9 November 2020 in which he said,‘ I am concerned that this is an elaborate trap. Unless POTUS itself activates us, it is not legitimate POTUS also has the right to activate units. If Trump asks me to come, I will. Otherwise, I can’t trust it. “Watkins had perceived his desired signal by the end of December.”
Prosecutors describe Watkins as a military veteran who is now a leader of the broader right-wing militia movement, instrumental in a group called Ohio State Regular Milia and a key player who takes action and communicates with others once he was in the Capitol on January 6th.
He recruited at least two people for the insurgency and was training others to be in “fighting form” for the presidential inauguration, according to prosecutors in Thursday’s presentation.
In a radio app that day, he said his group was 30 to 40 people, according to prosecutors.
Watkins allegedly had a “simple devotion to obstructing through violence” Joe Biden’s presidential certification, prosecutors said in the file. “Crimes of this magnitude, committed with such zeal, belie any condition of release that reasonably ensures the safety of the community or that Watkins can be trusted.”
They noted that he said on the radio channel, “Right now we are at the main dome. We are moving it.”
The Justice Department also says Watkins wore camouflage suits and combat equipment, including a tactical vest, boots and a helmet, and spoke with other security guards on the radio.
“Unlike the vast majority, Watkins had trained and plotted for a time like this,” prosecutors wrote.
This story has been updated with additional developments.