In a 21-page court case, prosecutors offered more details than previously known about the alleged planning, training and coordination than some members of the prosecution. Oath Keepers pledged after Trump lost the November election.
In it, they ask a federal judge to arrest Jessica Watkins, whom they describe as the leader of an Ohio-based militia linked to the Oath Keepers, saying she has extreme views that the Biden presidency poses “existential threat” and actively recruited people participate in a coup.
Prosecutors cite her on Nov. 17, days after the election, telling a recruit that if Biden were president, then “our Republic would be over. Then it’s our duty as Americans to fight, kill and die for our rights“.
More than 200 people have been charged in connection with the riots.
Watkins’ arrest note Thursday suggests that some of Trump’s staunchest supporters believed he was trying to put them into action.
In the note, prosecutors say Watkins exchanged texts with another co-defendant and other unidentified contacts about coordinating a “rapid reaction force” (QRF) that would be there as a backup with guns if necessary. January 6.
“(W) e can have clubs, tasers or night sticks. QRF staged, armed, with our weapons, out of town“He wrote, noting that the armed team would be” out of DC with guns, waiting … orders to enter DC with Trump’s permission. “
Watkins is imprisoned awaiting trial, has not yet filed a plea and has not been contacted for comment. The court dossier does not list any lawyers.
FBI investigations have focused on members of far-right extremist groups who may have plotted to take over the Capitol and stop the electoral certification process.