Topline
Jason Sullivan, a right-wing communications specialist and former associate of Republican political consultant Roger Stone, held a call one week before the January 6 Capitol storming in which he urged Trump supporters to go to the Capitol to make lawmakers “sweat” about certifying President Joe Biden’s 2020 election win, according to the New York Times.
A noose is seen on makeshift gallows as supporters of then-President Donald Trump gather outside the … [+]
Key Facts
Sullivan encouraged Trump supporters to “descend on the Capitol” as part of a plan to put “pressure” on lawmakers to block the election’s certifications, the Times reported, citing a recording it obtained.
He reportedly added he expected then-President Donald Trump to put a “limited form of martial law” in place on January 6, 2021, in response.
According to the Times, at least one person on the call was a member of the right-wing militant group 1st Amendment Praetorian, whose leader was subpoenaed by the January 6 committee.
It’s not clear if Sullivan or anyone on the call breached the Capitol on January 6, and Sullivan has not been charged with a crime.
Sullivan told the Times his comments were not intended to incite “violence or any kind of riots.”
Crucial Quote
“If we make the people inside that building sweat and they understand that they may not be able to walk in the streets any longer if they do the wrong thing, then maybe they’ll do the right thing,” Sullivan said, according to a recorded copy of the call obtained by the Times.
Key Background
A House select committee investigating the January 6 riot has focused on whether any planning or organizing led to the mob of Trump supporters breaching the Capitol, and the Justice Department has separately brought charges against more than 700 people allegedly involved in the riot. The DOJ has also called a grand jury that is broadly focused on pro-Trump rallies that took place between the November 2020 election and January 6, 2021, which recently issued a subpoena to right-wing activist Ali Alexander. The January 6 committee has possessed the recorded call featuring Sullivan for months, according to the Times, but it is not clear if the DOJ is aware of it.
Tangent
Sullivan appeared at a far-right “Patriot Round Up” event in Dallas last summer, where he made a gesture suggesting Hillary Clinton should be hanged.
Further Reading
In Conference Call Before Riot, a Plea to ‘Descend on the Capitol’ (New York Times)
Ex-Proud Boys Leader Tarrio Charged For Role In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/04/12/ex-roger-stone-aide-reportedly-called-on-extremists-to-descend-on-capitol-before-jan-6/