Prosecutors tell a story of sedition through Oath Keepers' 'bloody' texts, speeches

Time was running out. It was exactly 14 days until Congress would meet to certify the results of the 2020 election, and Elmer Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, was unable to contain his frustration. 

“This will be DC rally #3. Getting kinda old. They don’t give a shit how many show up and wave a sign, pray or yell. They won’t fear us until we come with rifles in our hand,” Rhodes wrote on Dec. 23, 2021, in a text message to fellow members of the extremist group. 

Prosecutors showed jurors this message and dozens of others on Friday as the seditious conspiracy trial for Rhodes and four of his associates—Kenneth Harrelson, Thomas Caldwell, Kelly Meggs, and Jessica Watkins—entered its fourth day. 

RELATED STORY: LIVE: Follow along for Day Four of the Oath Keepers sedition trial