Washington Post: “U.S. prosecutors alleged Monday that Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was in direct contact before, during and immediately after the Jan. 6 Capitol breach with members since charged with plotting to prevent Congress from confirming the results of the 2020 presidential election. In a late-night court filing, prosecutors alleged Rhodes directed Oath Keepers to rally during the riot to the southeast steps of the Capitol, after which several members forcibly entered the east side of the building. Prosecutors said they had recovered a chat called ‘DC OP: Jan 6 21’ on the encrypted Signal messaging app that ‘shows that individuals, including those alleged to have conspired with [others], were actively planning to use force and violence.'”

“Prosecutors said chat participants included Rhodes – identified only as ‘Person One’ in the filing but whom prosecutors named in earlier court papers – and two charged Oath Keepers members, Jessica Watkins, 38, an Ohio leader; and Kelly Meggs, 52, of Florida. U.S. authorities have charged Watkins, Meggs and seven other individuals who appear to be members or associates of the right-wing anti-government group, alleging a wider conspiracy to obstruct Congress amid rioting that led to five deaths and assaults on about 140 police officers. Charges have been brought against more than 300 defendants, but to date prosecutors led by the U.S. attorney’s office for Washington have not publicly charged anyone other than alleged rioters themselves. Prosecutors said they found ‘no discussion of forcibly entering the Capitol until January 6.’ But they said the chat messages, combined with Rhodes’s previous statements, ‘all show that the co-conspirators joined together to stop Congress’s certification of the Electoral College vote, and they were prepared to use violence, if necessary, to effect this purpose. … They were plotting to use violence to support the unlawful obstruction of a Congressional proceeding.'”