Western States Center Statement on the Conviction of Oath Keepers for Their Role in the Insurrection

Four members of the Oath Keepers, a paramilitary organization with a long record of promoting bigotry and political violence, were convicted on seditious conspiracy charges for their role in the implementation of the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Only 14 of the almost 1,000 individuals charged over the insurrection faced seditious conspiracy charges, underscoring the gravity of these convictions. 

Amy Herzfeld-Copple, Western States Center’s Deputy Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives, issued the following statement:

“Today’s verdict sends a strong message that the organizations and individuals most ardently involved in the planning, instigation, and hands-on participation in one of the most dramatic attacks on our democracy in living memory will be held accountable. Seditious conspiracy is a uniquely serious charge, getting to the heart of what it means when individuals deliberately work to attack our democracy, subvert our institutions, seek to overturn our national elections and assault our elected officials. It’s critical that the justice system treat these crimes with the seriousness they deserve. Today’s verdict should serve as a deterrent that bolsters our institutions against future attacks.”

“The Oath Keepers have long trafficked in anti-democracy conspiracy theories and sought to undermine both local and national institutions – often with impunity. Today’s verdict is only the start of holding them and their ideological allies accountable, not just for federal but also for state-level crimes designed to undermine our democratic values and institutions.”