This is the most direct language of federal prosecutors linking Trump’s calls for support in Washington, DC, to the more militant aspects of the insurrection.
The Justice Department previously avoided linking Trump’s words to the actions of the extremist group during the rebellion. This week, at least four defendants argued in court that they followed Trump’s guidance to go to the Capitol building on January 6.
The Justice Department process continued: “Her concern about acting without his support was evident in a text of November 9, 2020, in which she stated: ‘I am concerned, this is an elaborate trap. Unless POTUS activate us, it is not legitimate. POTUS also has the right to activate units. If Trump asks me to come, I will go. Otherwise, I cannot trust. Watkins saw the desired signal in late December. “
Prosecutors describe Watkins as a military veteran who is now a leader in the broader right-wing militia movement, instrumental in a group called Ohio State Regular Militia and a key player acting and communicating with others as soon as she was inside. Capitol on January 6.
She recruited at least two people for the insurrection and was training others to be “in a form of struggle” for the presidential inauguration, prosecutors said in the Thursday document.
In a radio application that day, she said her group was 30 to 40 people, prosecutors say.
Watkins reportedly had a “stubborn devotion to obstructing through violence” the certification of Joe Biden’s presidency, prosecutors in the lawsuit said. “Crimes of this magnitude, committed with such zeal, belie any conditions of release that reasonably ensure the safety of the community or for which Watkins is trusted to obey.”
They noticed that she said on the radio channel, “We are at the main summit now. We are rocking.”
The Justice Department also said that Watkins wore camouflage uniforms and combat equipment, including tactical vest, boots and helmet, and spoke to other Oath Keepers on the radio.
“Unlike the vast majority, Watkins trained and planned a time like this,” prosecutors wrote.
This story has been updated with further developments.