Elmer Stewart Rhodes III, the founder of the Oath Keepers militia group, has issued a warning to former President Donald Trump, stating that he may face serious legal troubles in the future. Speaking from the D.C. Department of Corrections Central Detention Facility, where he is currently being held in isolation, Rhodes told The Washington Times in an interview published on July 4, “They’re going to do the same thing to President Trump that they did to me.”
Rhodes himself was sentenced to 18 years in prison in May after being found guilty of seditious conspiracy and other crimes related to the U.S. Capitol breach on January 6, 2021. According to Rhodes, the federal government is actively working to turn people in Trump’s inner circle against him and intimidating potential witnesses who may come to his defense. Rhodes stated, “You’re going to get railroaded. You’re going to be found guilty if you try to go to trial. So everyone’s been demoralized and more likely to take a plea deal and agree to ‘test-a-lie’ against President Trump.”
Former President Trump now faces indictments twice. In April, he was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to alleged hush payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. These charges came after a grand jury decision by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has maintained that there is no case against him. Additionally, Trump faces a total of 37 felony counts over his handling of documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort, including violating the federal Espionage Act. Special counsel Jack Smith brought these charges. Once again, Trump has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Drawing on his personal experience, Rhodes compared his own trial to what he believes will happen to President Trump. He mentioned that despite not entering the Capitol building himself, he was convicted of obstructing an official proceeding and seditious conspiracy. Rhodes claimed that there was no evidence of an actual plan, and his conviction relied solely on his speeches. He warned Trump that a similar tactic would be used against him.
Rhodes also stated that federal prosecutors pressured members of his militia group to testify against him, threatening them with life imprisonment if they refused. He predicted that the same pressure would be applied to witnesses in Trump’s case.
In March, Rhodes spoke to The Epoch Times, claiming that he was being prosecuted for “who I am.” He also warned conservatives that the events of January 6 were just the beginning of a broader political persecution campaign.
Former President Trump, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the 2024 White House race, expressed his frustrations on his Truth Social account. He criticized Jack Smith and the Biden administration, claiming that they are using indictments and interference plans to disrupt his growing popularity. He urged Republicans to be tough in order to prevent Democrats from stealing another election.
Recent surveys show that Trump continues to lead in the GOP primary race with 49 percent of support, followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with 16 percent. The biotechnology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy came in third with 10 percent support, while former Vice President Mike Pence and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley each received five percent support.
In addition to discussing his concerns about Trump, Rhodes revealed that he and Florida Oath Keepers leader Kelly Meggs are being held in solitary confinement in the District of Columbia jail. The punishment was a result of their media outspokenness regarding their seditious-conspiracy convictions related to the events of January 6, 2021. Rhodes likened his treatment to that of the fictional serial killer and cannibal Hannibal Lecter, stating that he and Meggs have to be shackled whenever they leave their cells.
Overall, Rhodes’s words serve as a cautionary message to Trump, imploring him to be aware of the potential legal challenges he may face. He warns Trump that he could be subjected to the same pressure and tactics used against him and emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the legal battle ahead.
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