Topline
Longtime Trump ally and political advisor Roger Stone discussed security plans with an indicted member of the Oath Keepers the day before the January 6 riot, according to the House committee investigating the event, which also alleged extremist groups unified in encrypted chats to plan actions on that day.
Roger Stone leaves the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia after being sentenced … [+]
Key Facts
Stone allegedly communicated on January 5 with Kelly Meggs, a Florida Oath Keeper who’s been indicted on a seditious conspiracy charge.
Oath Keepers then guarded Stone in Washington on January 6, according to the committee.
Extremist groups came together to discuss plans for January 6 using several encrypted chats, according to the committee, including one called “Friends of Stone” that included Stone along with Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes.
Another chat called the “Ministry of Self-Defense” allegedly involved extremist groups sharing maps of the Capitol ahead of the January 6 riot, along with locations of police, though the committee did not suggest that Stone was a member.
Surprising Fact
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), committee vice chairwoman, said at a hearing last month that Trump instructed his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, to contact Stone the night before the riot to figure out “what would play out the next day.”
Key Background
Tuesday’s hearing is focused on the actions of extremist groups on January 6 and their plans leading up to the riot. It has also featured highly anticipated testimony from former White House Counsel Pat Cipollone.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/07/12/jan-6-hearings-roger-stone-discussed-security-with-extremist-before-riot-committee-says/