Far-right Trump supporter convicted over January 6 attack defends 'civil war' threat
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The founder of a far-right extremist group who was convicted of organising the January 6 attack on the US Capitol has defended his threat of "civil war". Stewart Rhodes, who founded the so-called Oath Keepers, received an 18-year prison sentence for seditious conspiracy following the 2021 attack before Donald Trump pardoned him upon becoming president on Monday.
Rhodes, one of more than 1,500 people charged with federal crimes over the attack who have benefitted from Trump's clemency, visited Capitol Hill on Wednesday after his release 24 hours earlier. Sky News asked him about a text he sent to members of his anti-government militia before the riots, in which he said "we're not getting through this without civil war".
"If you don't have fair elections, yes," he said. "That's not... that's protected by free speech.". Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. A report from the non-partisan States United Democracy Center concluded claims of fraud and other election conspiracies in the 2020 vote were "entirely without basis".
Donald Trump says attacks on police officers in January 6 riots were 'minor incidents'. Day 4: How will Trump 2.0 handle the media. Former 'MAGA cult' member rejects Capitol riot pardon from 'narcissist' Trump. Rhodes claimed he was convicted in a "show trial".
