Jury selection underway in Oath Keeper seditious conspiracy trial

On Tuesday, as a group of prospective jurors began filing into a federal courtroom in Washington, D.C., for the seditious conspiracy trial of Oath Keeper founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes, his eye carefully scanned each juror before they took a seat.

Rhodes and four co-defendants—Thomas Caldwell of Virginia, Kelly Meggs and Kenneth Harrelson of Florida, and Jessica Watkins of Ohio—face the weighty charge of seditious conspiracy for an alleged attempt to stop the lawful transfer of power by force from former President Donald Trump to now-President Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021. 

Sporting his well-known eye patch, a neat dark suit, a fresh haircut, and a face mask (it is required in court), Rhodes, his fellow defendants, and a wall of their attorneys took up two tables inside of U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta’s courtroom as proceedings for the long-awaited event began in earnest. 

U.S. prosecutors and defense attorneys are undertaking a rigorous vetting process this week that is expected to last a few days. There are roughly 150 jurors to sort through even after a jury questionnaire issued earlier this month helped weed out less appropriate prospects. 

A group of about 30 jurors arrived at the highly secured courthouse Tuesday morning. Another group of about the same size is anticipated to undergo selection Wednesday. Depending on how quickly questioning goes and because the court will not be in session this Friday, it is very likely that opening arguments will start next week.