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LaRock downplays Jan. 6 after Oath Keeper convictions

BY EVAN GOODENOW egoodenow@loudountimes.com 18 hrs ago

Two years after they spoke at an election denial rally he hosted in Purcellville, Del. David Alfred LaRock, R-Berryville, is defending insurrectionists Thomas Edward Caldwell and Elmer Stewart Rhodes III after their federal convictions last week.

Rhodes, 57, of Granbury, Texas, is the founder and leader of the Oath Keepers, a far right militia comprised of current and former police and military personnel. He was convicted of seditious conspiracy in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., for coordinating the violent attempt to overturn the election of President Joseph R. Biden Jr., by trying to block Congress from conducting the Electoral College certification on Jan. 6, 2021.

Caldwell was acquitted of seditious conspiracy, but convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding, and tampering with documents or proceedings. Caldwell faces up to 20 years imprisonment and Rhodes faces up to 60 years imprisonment. Three other people were convicted of various charges in the eight-week trial. A sentencing date hasn't been set.

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But LaRock said the conviction of Rhodes, who faces up to 60 years imprisonment, was unjust. He said the Second Amendment allows people to own guns and form militias. Rhodes, who never entered the Capitol, was frustrated that Trump wouldn’t invoke the Insurrection Act after the attack, according to trial testimony. ... “He was waiting for a signal from President Trump who was the commander-in-chief at the time and that signal never came.” LaRock said in an interview. “It surprised me that one could engage in a variety of activities, none of which is illegal, but then be found guilty.” ... LaRock said he had met Rhodes — who bragged in trial recordings about murdering House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California — when Rhodes spoke at the “Fight for Freedom” rally in Purcellville on Nov. 8, 2020.

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Evan Goodenow
egoodenow@loudountimes.com