The Oath Keepers militia group's path to breaching the Capitol | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The Oath Keepers, an anti-government militia movement comprising former law enforcement and military personnel, played a significant role in the January 6th attack on the Capitol, using the unencrypted app Zello to communicate plans.

Key Insights

• 🗯️ The January 6th attack on the Capitol involved the active participation of the far-right extremist group, the Oath Keepers.
• 😀 The Oath Keepers openly communicated and planned their movements on the unencrypted app Zello.
• 🤩 The group's leader, Jessica Watkins, and other members played a key role in storming the Capitol and narrated their actions during the attack.
• 😀 The Oath Keepers' involvement highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in monitoring and preventing domestic terrorism.
• 🤨 The group's connection with current and former military and law enforcement personnel raises concerns about individuals within these institutions sympathizing or supporting extremist ideologies.
• 🥺 The Oath Keepers' actions during the attack have led to increased scrutiny and potential legal consequences for their members.
• 😀 The app Zello, previously popular among various groups, including truckers and activists, is now being investigated for its role in facilitating extremist communication.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Who are the Oath Keepers?

The Oath Keepers are an anti-government militia movement comprising current and former military and law enforcement personnel who believe in defending the U.S. Constitution. They have been actively involved in various events and protests, including the January 6th attack on the Capitol.

Q: How did the Oath Keepers communicate during the attack?

The Oath Keepers used the app Zello, which operates like a walkie-talkie, enabling real-time communication. They openly discussed their plans, coordinated their movements, and provided updates during the attack.

Q: How did law enforcement respond to the Oath Keepers' actions?

While warnings about possible violence on January 6th were issued, the full extent of the Oath Keepers' involvement and plans may not have been adequately monitored. Law enforcement failed to intervene effectively, allowing the Oath Keepers and other extremists to breach the Capitol.

Q: What legal consequences are the Oath Keepers facing?

Thirteen individuals associated with the Oath Keepers have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol attack, including unauthorized entry, assault, and conspiracy. The FBI is actively investigating the group, and more charges may be brought against them in the future.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• More than 400 individuals, including members of the far-right militia group, the Oath Keepers, have been charged in connection with the January 6th attack on the Capitol.

• The Oath Keepers used the app Zello, which operates like an unencrypted walkie-talkie, to openly communicate with each other in real-time before and during the attack.

• Members of the Oath Keepers, including leader Jessica Watkins, were actively involved in storming the Capitol, narrating their actions, and coordinating their movements on Zello.