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Note this article was published prior to Stewart Rhodes being indicted.
https://www.timesrecordnews.com/sto...wed-didnt-understand-constitution/7931150002/
Oath Keepers founder: Trump had flaws, didn't understand Constitution enough
Trish Choate
Wichita Falls Times Record News
Oath Keepers founder and leader Stewart Rhodes does not see a perfect president when he looks back at former President Donald Trump's time in office.
Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes speaks during a Wichita Falls meeting Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Rhodes and his group, often called a far-right militia, have been known for their support of Trump, but Rhodes sees ample flaws in the former president.
"He didn't understand the Constitution enough when it came to that," Rhodes said during an exclusive interview in Wichita Falls ahead of a speaking engagement in late June.
Rhodes said he did not agree with Trump's backing of red flag legislation or his statement about taking guns away first and then worrying about due process later.
Red flag laws allow courts to remove firearms from people deemed a danger to themselves or others.
In February 2018, Trump made a statement that surprised many.
"I like taking guns away early," he said in the wake of a mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. "Take the guns first, go through due process second."
Rhodes said, "That's not how our constitutional system works."
In general, he thinks Trump loved his country and was "a sincere America First person," Rhodes said.
“That's why he gained a lot of support. That's why he got elected in 2016. So I think that he was legit, but he wasn't as staunch of a constitutionalist, as well-versed in the Constitution, as he should have been," Rhodes said.
He added, "I might get some hate mail over that from Trump supporters, but it’s the truth.”
America First policy calls for not intervening in other nations' affairs and for an emphasis on nationalism.
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes Oath Keepers as among the largest radical antigovernment groups in the United States. The group is known for showing up visibly armed to events.
Rhodes rejects the militia label, saying members are mostly retired and current military members and law-enforcement officers acting together to deter trouble.
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Because of a gun accident, Rhodes wears an eyepatch. He graduated from Yale Law School and is a former Army paratrooper. Originally from Montana, he now lives in Texas.
He came to Wichita Falls to speak during a meeting June 24 at Red River Harley-Davidson.
Rhodes said he encouraged Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act and carry out "a mass declassification and data dump of all the dirty secrets" held by the CIA and the National Security Agency. The dirty secrets are how corrupt politicians are being controlled.
“Who are the people that have been bought out, whether it's by Wall Street or foreign governments, whether it's Russia or China, or whoever? Who are the people that have been compromised … controlled? You know, our intelligence agencies know that," Rhodes said.
He said Edward Snowden is a patriot.
Now in Russia, Snowden leaked highly classified information from the NSA while a civilian worker.
"This is one of Trump's failings. He should have pardoned Snowden," Rhodes said. “He should have pardoned his own supporters who were arrested after Jan. 6. Why didn't he do that?”
Trump should also be raising money for their legal defense, Rhodes said.
“These are his supporters, and they're being charged and persecuted. And it doesn't ultimately even matter if you think they're guilty. There's presumed innocence until proven guilty," Rhodes said. "They have a right to counsel."
At least two Oath Keepers have pleaded guilty in a conspiracy case.
The FBI alleges 16 members of the Oath Keepers conspired at the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol to keep Congress from certifying election results.
Rhodes said some of the group's members entering the Capitol was "a massive mistake" that he had no knowledge of at the time, but there was no conspiracy.
The New York Times reported July 9 that Rhodes has voluntarily submitted to an interview with the FBI although he has not been charged and denies any role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
Rhodes also subscribes to Trump's unproven claims the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent.
"So many Trump supporters . . . don't consider Biden legitimate, and I'm one of them. I don't consider Biden a legitimate president," Rhodes said.
Who would Rhodes like to see in the next presidential election?
"I would want to see Rand Paul run. Like his dad, I think he has the best understanding of our Constitution and the best devotion to it of anybody that's currently in political office," Rhodes said.
Rand Paul is a U.S. senator from Kentucky who describes himself as a Libertarian Republican.
His father is Libertarian and former Congressman Ron Paul, who was also a two-time Republican presidential candidate.
A Libertarian, Rhodes volunteered for Ron Paul's presidential campaign in 2008.
That is, Rhodes would support Rand Paul unless Snowden obtained a pardon and returned to the United States.
"I would vote for Edward Snowden for president, absolutely, because he proved up by blowing the whistle," Rhodes said.
"I look for someone who has put themselves at risk to do the right thing. You can't show me that, I'm a little skeptical. I think Rand Paul's been pretty good. He's been in the hot seat politically. Not as good as his dad but pretty close," Rhodes said.
"I would want someone that I think is going to take it seriously," he said.
More:Oath Keepers founder shares politics and preparedness at Wichita Falls meeting
https://www.timesrecordnews.com/sto...wed-didnt-understand-constitution/7931150002/
Oath Keepers founder: Trump had flaws, didn't understand Constitution enough
Trish Choate
Wichita Falls Times Record News
Oath Keepers founder and leader Stewart Rhodes does not see a perfect president when he looks back at former President Donald Trump's time in office.
Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes speaks during a Wichita Falls meeting Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Rhodes and his group, often called a far-right militia, have been known for their support of Trump, but Rhodes sees ample flaws in the former president.
"He didn't understand the Constitution enough when it came to that," Rhodes said during an exclusive interview in Wichita Falls ahead of a speaking engagement in late June.
Rhodes said he did not agree with Trump's backing of red flag legislation or his statement about taking guns away first and then worrying about due process later.
Red flag laws allow courts to remove firearms from people deemed a danger to themselves or others.
In February 2018, Trump made a statement that surprised many.
"I like taking guns away early," he said in the wake of a mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. "Take the guns first, go through due process second."
Rhodes said, "That's not how our constitutional system works."
In general, he thinks Trump loved his country and was "a sincere America First person," Rhodes said.
“That's why he gained a lot of support. That's why he got elected in 2016. So I think that he was legit, but he wasn't as staunch of a constitutionalist, as well-versed in the Constitution, as he should have been," Rhodes said.
He added, "I might get some hate mail over that from Trump supporters, but it’s the truth.”
America First policy calls for not intervening in other nations' affairs and for an emphasis on nationalism.
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes Oath Keepers as among the largest radical antigovernment groups in the United States. The group is known for showing up visibly armed to events.
Rhodes rejects the militia label, saying members are mostly retired and current military members and law-enforcement officers acting together to deter trouble.
Your stories live here.
Fuel your hometown passion and plug into the stories that define it.
Create Account
Because of a gun accident, Rhodes wears an eyepatch. He graduated from Yale Law School and is a former Army paratrooper. Originally from Montana, he now lives in Texas.
He came to Wichita Falls to speak during a meeting June 24 at Red River Harley-Davidson.
Rhodes said he encouraged Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act and carry out "a mass declassification and data dump of all the dirty secrets" held by the CIA and the National Security Agency. The dirty secrets are how corrupt politicians are being controlled.
“Who are the people that have been bought out, whether it's by Wall Street or foreign governments, whether it's Russia or China, or whoever? Who are the people that have been compromised … controlled? You know, our intelligence agencies know that," Rhodes said.
He said Edward Snowden is a patriot.
Now in Russia, Snowden leaked highly classified information from the NSA while a civilian worker.
"This is one of Trump's failings. He should have pardoned Snowden," Rhodes said. “He should have pardoned his own supporters who were arrested after Jan. 6. Why didn't he do that?”
Trump should also be raising money for their legal defense, Rhodes said.
“These are his supporters, and they're being charged and persecuted. And it doesn't ultimately even matter if you think they're guilty. There's presumed innocence until proven guilty," Rhodes said. "They have a right to counsel."
At least two Oath Keepers have pleaded guilty in a conspiracy case.
The FBI alleges 16 members of the Oath Keepers conspired at the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol to keep Congress from certifying election results.
Rhodes said some of the group's members entering the Capitol was "a massive mistake" that he had no knowledge of at the time, but there was no conspiracy.
The New York Times reported July 9 that Rhodes has voluntarily submitted to an interview with the FBI although he has not been charged and denies any role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
Rhodes also subscribes to Trump's unproven claims the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent.
"So many Trump supporters . . . don't consider Biden legitimate, and I'm one of them. I don't consider Biden a legitimate president," Rhodes said.
Who would Rhodes like to see in the next presidential election?
"I would want to see Rand Paul run. Like his dad, I think he has the best understanding of our Constitution and the best devotion to it of anybody that's currently in political office," Rhodes said.
Rand Paul is a U.S. senator from Kentucky who describes himself as a Libertarian Republican.
His father is Libertarian and former Congressman Ron Paul, who was also a two-time Republican presidential candidate.
A Libertarian, Rhodes volunteered for Ron Paul's presidential campaign in 2008.
That is, Rhodes would support Rand Paul unless Snowden obtained a pardon and returned to the United States.
"I would vote for Edward Snowden for president, absolutely, because he proved up by blowing the whistle," Rhodes said.
"I look for someone who has put themselves at risk to do the right thing. You can't show me that, I'm a little skeptical. I think Rand Paul's been pretty good. He's been in the hot seat politically. Not as good as his dad but pretty close," Rhodes said.
"I would want someone that I think is going to take it seriously," he said.
More:Oath Keepers founder shares politics and preparedness at Wichita Falls meeting
