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Diversity Makes Greatness
"Van Tatenhove testified on July 12 that despite wanting to portray themselves as a “community preparedness team” or “veterans support group”, the Oath Keepers are a militia who used military tactics as they attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6.
“The best illustration for what the Oath Keepers are happened Jan. 6 when we saw that stacked military formation going up the stairs of the Capitol,” Van Tatenhove said.
He left the group after witnessing racism and culminating in him overhearing some members denying the Holocaust, he testified on July 12. He said he probably should have left sooner.
Much of Van Tatenhove’s testimony focused on Rhodes who, according to Van Tatenhove, sees himself as a paramilitary leader.
He said that in the lead up to Jan. 6, Rhodes wanted Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law that empowers the president to call up militias to tamp down rebellions, because Rhodes believed this would grant him and the Oath Keepers “legitimacy” as a paramilitary organization.
“[Rhodes] is a militia leader. He had these grand visions of being a paramilitary leader,” Van Tatenhove said. “And the Insurrection Act would have given him a path forward with that."
"Tatenhove said he believes Jan. 6 could have been more violent and that the country must reckon with the fact that such a threat still exists."
"“I have three daughters. I have a granddaughter. I fear for the world that they will inherit if we do not start holding these people to account,” Van Tatenhove said.
Rhodes has also offered to testify to the Jan. 6 committee if he can do so live and in-person, instead of from jail, where he is awaiting trial. The committee has not responded to his request."
Who is Jason Van Tatenhove and why is he testifying in the Jan. 6 hearings?
“The best illustration for what the Oath Keepers are happened Jan. 6 when we saw that stacked military formation going up the stairs of the Capitol,” Van Tatenhove said.
He left the group after witnessing racism and culminating in him overhearing some members denying the Holocaust, he testified on July 12. He said he probably should have left sooner.
Much of Van Tatenhove’s testimony focused on Rhodes who, according to Van Tatenhove, sees himself as a paramilitary leader.
He said that in the lead up to Jan. 6, Rhodes wanted Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law that empowers the president to call up militias to tamp down rebellions, because Rhodes believed this would grant him and the Oath Keepers “legitimacy” as a paramilitary organization.
“[Rhodes] is a militia leader. He had these grand visions of being a paramilitary leader,” Van Tatenhove said. “And the Insurrection Act would have given him a path forward with that."
"Tatenhove said he believes Jan. 6 could have been more violent and that the country must reckon with the fact that such a threat still exists."
"“I have three daughters. I have a granddaughter. I fear for the world that they will inherit if we do not start holding these people to account,” Van Tatenhove said.
Rhodes has also offered to testify to the Jan. 6 committee if he can do so live and in-person, instead of from jail, where he is awaiting trial. The committee has not responded to his request."
Who is Jason Van Tatenhove and why is he testifying in the Jan. 6 hearings?