DOJ: Oath Keepers members waited on Trump signal before Capitol siege.
Member of the Oath Keepers, a right-wing militia group,
___was waiting for a signal from former President Donald Trump to attack the U.S. Capitol last month,
according to the Justice Department.
Prosecutors explored the motivations of Jessica Watkins, Thomas Edward Caldwell, and Donovan Crowl, who were arrested and charged in connection to the Jan. 6 riot.
A filing Thursday by Michael Sherwin, acting U.S. attorney for the nation’s capital, zeroed in on Watkins, an Ohio bartender and leader of the anti-government militia group.
"As the inauguration grew nearer, Watkins indicated that
____she was awaiting direction from President Trump,"
the Justice Department said, adding,
“her concern about taking action without his backing was evident.”
She sent a Nov. 9 text, saying,
“I am concerned this is an elaborate trap.
____Unless the POTUS himself activates us, it’s not legit.
The POTUS has the right to activate units too. If Trump asks
me to come, I will.”
Prosecutors said Watkins “had perceived her desired signal by the end of December” and pointed to a text where she said,
____“We plan on going to DC on the 6th … Trump wants all able bodied Patriots to come …
If Trump activates the Insurrection Act, I’d hate to miss it.”
The Justice Department noted the head of the Oath Keepers issued a Jan. 4 call for action, saying,
____“It is CRITICAL that all patriots who can be in DC get to DC to stand tall in support of President Trump’s fight to defeat the enemies foreign and domestic who are attempting a coup.
Shortly before the day of the Capitol riot, Caldwell referenced
“a quick reaction force bringing the tools if something goes to hell” in a message to Watkins, who prosecutors said explained the purpose of a “QRF” in November. “If it gets bad, they QRF to us with weapons for us … Be prepared to fight hand to hand… Guys outside DC with guns,
_await orders to enter DC under permission from Trump,
not a minute sooner," Caldwell said.
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