So that is the opening arguments from each side. He says she's never quite felt like she fit in, and that will explain some of her actions. Watkins' lawyer says she's a transgender woman. Caldwell's lawyer criticized the FBI investigation. We've heard from lawyers for two other defendants in this case, named Thomas Caldwell and Jessica Watkins. He says Rhodes is deeply patriotic and loves this country. A lawyer for Stewart Rhodes says even though things may look inflammatory when you hear the government's case, Rhodes did nothing illegal. And the lawyer said it's totally legal to keep weapons in your room in a hotel in the state of Virginia. They said the Oath Keepers had used those in emergencies after something bad happened, not to conduct attacks on offense. JOHNSON: Well, the defense lawyers really went after the idea of a quick reaction force. INSKEEP: Well, given his own text messages, his own calls, his followers' actions and the weapons nearby, what's his defense? Prosecutors say the Oath Keepers kept their weapons on January 6 across the river in suburban Virginia as part of what they call a quick reaction force. Later on after January 6, Rhodes allegedly said he regretted not bringing rifles that day. Two minutes after he had a call with another defendant in the case, a group of 14 people, including Oath Keepers, started marching in military-style formation toward the Capitol steps. The prosecutors say Rhodes acted like a battlefield general. And on the day itself, Rhodes allegedly typed, all I see Trump doing is complaining, so the patriots are taking matters into their own hands. They told this jury that Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes bought weapons and military gear before January 6. They're building their case using photos, video, text messages. JOHNSON: Prosecutors say these defendants concocted a plan for an armed rebellion to overturn the 2020 election. INSKEEP: What is the case against these men? Carrie, good morning.ĬARRIE JOHNSON, BYLINE: Good morning, Steve. NPR justice correspondent Carrie Johnson has been at the courthouse. INSKEEP: They're members of a group called the Oath Keepers. Prosecutors accuse him and four others of seditious conspiracy. #TRIBAL WARS NUKE TRIAL#MARTINEZ: Rhodes is on trial for what he did after that speech - taking part in the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Let's get it on now while he is still the commander in chief. STEWART RHODES: We're going to have to do it ourselves later in a much more desperate, much more bloody war. Rhodes urged Trump supporters to back them up because if they didn't, he said, it would be worse. In the final days of 2020, weeks after Donald Trump lost his reelection bid, a man named Stewart Rhodes urged the defeated president to declare martial law.
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