– Washington Less than 24 hours after a jury in Washington, D.C., convicted two members of the far-right Oath Keepers group of the rare and serious seditious conspiracy charge for crimes related to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the “tireless” work of Justice Department prosecutors and stated that the Department will continue to “hold accountable those responsible for crimes related to the attack on our democracy on January 6, 2021.”
During brief remarks and questioning from the press on Wednesday, the nation’s chief law enforcement officer stated that his department began working on the criminal case in January 2021, just days after the attack. Members of the group were accused of conspiring to use force to prevent the peaceful transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden.
Stewart Rhodes, the group’s founder, and Kelly Meggs, a Florida associate, were found guilty of the most serious charge brought by the Justice Department thus far in its expansive investigation into the attack on Tuesday. Three other defendants, Kenneth Harrelson, Jessica Watkins, and Thomas Caldwell, were acquitted of the seditious conspiracy charge but convicted of other counts, such as obstructing the work of Congress on that day.
Garland’s remarks and the conclusion of the trial coincided with the conclusion of the congressional investigation into the January 6 attack. Rep. Bennie Thompson, chair of the House select committee investigating the attack, stated Wednesday that the committee likely conducted its final interview. Before Republicans assume control of the House in January, investigators plan to release a report detailing their findings.
Attorney General Merrick Garland holds a press conference on November 30, 2022. Patrick Semansky / AP
Garland told reporters on Wednesday that his department desires access to “all” of the evidence gathered by the select committee, including thousands of interview transcripts, so that prosecutors may use the information “in the ordinary course of their investigations.”
In a court filing earlier this year, Justice Department officials stated that the Congressional committee’s interview transcripts were “potentially relevant to [their] overall criminal investigations.” The committee has chosen to withhold the evidence from the public and the department until its investigation has been concluded.
Thompson stated in July that the select committee had “discussions” with the Justice Department, and that the Justice Department had requested transcripts.
He highlighted the Justice Department’s decision to intervene in the Jackson, Mississippi water crisis as another “significant success” the department achieved on Tuesday.
Prosecutors and city officials said they agreed to appoint a third-party interim manager to improve conditions that left thousands without potable water over the summer and nearly brought the water system to its knees.
The department filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that it failed to provide drinking water in accordance with federal law, with the intention of collaborating with Jackson officials to find a long-term solution to the disparities in the area.
Jackson and other communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities that “bear the brunt” of environmental injustices “have much work to do,” said Garland. He added that prosecutors are working with the utmost “urgency” to address the issue.
“It is difficult to imagine not being able to turn on a faucet and receiving safe drinking water,” said Garland. “We will conclude this matter as quickly as possible.”