Sedition is overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that tends toward rebellion against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent toward, or insurrection against, established authority. Sedition may include any commotion, though not aimed at direct and open violence against the laws. Seditious words in writing are seditious libel. A seditionist is one who engages in or promotes the interest of sedition.
Treason is the crime of attacking a state authority to which one owes allegiance. This typically includes acts such as participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state. A person who commits treason is known in law as a traitor.
Four members of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group were found guilty of seditious conspiracy by a federal jury Monday for their role in a plan to keep President Donald Trump in power by halting the certification of the 2020 election results.
Joseph Hackett, 52; Roberto Minuta, 38; David Moerschel, 45; and Edward Vallejo, 64, were all found guilty of seditious conspiracy, according to The Associated Press. The four were also convicted on a pair of conspiracy charges, as well as obstructing an official proceeding -- the congressional election certification.
The verdict is the second in a series of trials stemming from the original 11 indictments that included the group's leader, Stewart Rhodes. The results for these four men stand in contrast to the first trial, which ended with a sedition conviction for Rhodes and Kelly Meggs but split verdicts for the other three defendants and didn't convict them of the sedition charge.
Experts who have studied the Oath Keepers, former members, and even Rhodes’ own estranged wife, Tasha Adams, have noted that the group targets veterans and used the credibility and leadership talent that they possessed to achieve its goals.
In a previous interview with Military.com, Adams remarked that “these people were manipulated" but was quick to add that “they allowed it to go too far."
Vallejo, an Army veteran, becomes the second person with a military background to be convicted on a seditious conspiracy charge related to Jan. 6; it carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Section 3.
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.
The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.
Quote by Raine:
So who thinks that NY FBI will flip?
or... will he fall out of a window?
Fulton County DA Fani Willis asks judge to keep grand jury's report on 2020 election interference under seal, alluding to fairness concerns for "future defendants."
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 24, 2023
"Decisions are imminent," Willis adds. pic.twitter.com/x1asPgpd7e
Classified documents found at Mike Pence's home, lawyer says https://t.co/rYjxmqFYX7
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) January 24, 2023
Quote by Raine:Classified documents found at Mike Pence's home, lawyer says https://t.co/rYjxmqFYX7
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) January 24, 2023
Question: Did you take any classified documents with you from the white house?
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 24, 2023
Pence: I did not. pic.twitter.com/hbErVijbXt