Washington – Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far-right group Oath Keepers, visited Capitol Hill on Wednesday, days after President Trump commuted his lengthy prison sentence.
Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison In May 2023, for seditious conspiracy in one of the longest sentences for crimes related to the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. He was one of more than 1,500 defendants granted amnesty On Monday, hours after Mr Trump took office. Rhodes was released from federal custody on Tuesday, according to his attorney.
Speaking at the House office building on Wednesday, Rhodes told reporters he was there to meet with House Republicans and advocate for pardon for fellow Oath Keeper James Brown. convicted weapons charges in a separate federal case. Rhodes said he was not invited by any member of Congress and did not even set foot in the Capitol.
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Prosecutors alleged that Rhodes and his fellow Oath Keepers planned violence before the Capitol attack and celebrated their actions afterward.
Before Rhodes was sentenced, prosecutors said he “push[ed]the idea among Oath Keepers members and others that with a large crowd, they could intimidate Congress and its members and make them look like conspirators rather than the American people.” May impose the will of: the next President of the United States to prevent certification.”
He said Rhodes has called for “violent opposition to the authority of the United States government for more than a decade” and “continues to advocate political violence.”
one in recording Four days later on January 6, which played out at his trial, Rhodes said his “only regret is that he should have brought rifles” and that he would “hang Pelosi from a lamppost.” Rhodes said Wednesday that he regretted that comment and that he was “drunk and angry.”
Many Republicans have downplayed the pardons and commutations or avoided answering questions on the topic, saying they have yet to consider Mr. Trump's decision.
“The president has made his decision. I don't second guess him,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said Wednesday morning.
Contributed to this report.