An apparent leader of Oath Keepers tasked with planning and coordinating the breach at the U.S. Capitol



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The Justice Department indicted Thomas Caldwell, a 65-year-old man from Virginia, of a leadership role in the right-wing paramilitary group, on four counts, including conspiracy to commit an offense, obstructing a formal process and “Violent entry or disorderly conduct. “

Caldwell interacted in the riot alongside a group of eight to ten people wearing equipment bearing the Oath Keeper crest, who “moved in an organized and practiced manner and made their way to the front of the crowd gathered around from a door of the US Capitol, “according to a law enforcement affidavit.

Capitol riots investigators focus on extremist groups and military-style coordination

Prosecutors also describe his interactions with two other indicted right-wing activists, Jessica Watkins and Donovan Crowl, who also allegedly sought to prevent Congress from certifying the presidential election and participated in the siege.

“We are concerned that the arrests for the January 6 attack on the US Capitol include some US military reservists and veterans. Some right-wing extremist groups, particularly the anti-government Oath Keepers, have long recruited current members. and former military and law enforcement officials, ”Oren Segal, vice president of the Anti-Defamation League Center on Extremism, told CNN.

“The Oath Keepers are part of the resurgent militia movement, which believes that the federal government has been co-opted by an obscure plot that attempts to deny American citizens their rights. While the Oath Keepers accept anyone as members, this which differentiates them from other extremist anti-government groups explicitly focus on recruiting former and current military, law enforcement and first responders, ”he added.

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