Oath Keepers
Status: Dormant · Founded 01/01/2009
Oath Keepers is a U.S.-based militia/patriot-movement organization founded in 2009 by Elmer Stewart Rhodes III, recruiting principally among current and former military, law-enforcement, and first-responder personnel. Its founder and members were convicted of seditious conspiracy and other federal felonies for a documented armed plot connected to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol; the founder's sentence was later commuted, with his conviction remaining on the record. Its national structure has been reported as substantially collapsed since 2021, with a relaunch announced by Rhodes in late 2025.
Documented claims
Reporting from late 2025 describes Elmer Stewart Rhodes III announcing an effort to relaunch Oath Keepers under a more decentralized organizational structure.
- The 'sacred' pledge that will power the relaunch of alt-right militia Oath Keepers — The Conversation (12/01/2025) [Primary]
A January 20, 2025 presidential proclamation commuted Elmer Stewart Rhodes III's 18-year sentence to time served; the proclamation granted a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to some other people convicted of January 6-related offenses and commutation to others. The proclamation's terms did not vacate or reverse Rhodes's underlying conviction.
- Granting Pardons and Commutation of Sentences for Certain Offenses Relating to the Events at or Near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 — The White House (01/20/2025) [Primary]
- Stewart Rhodes, Enrique Tarrio released from prison — NY1 / Spectrum News (01/21/2025) [Corroborating]
On November 29, 2022, a federal jury found Elmer Stewart Rhodes III and Oath Keepers Florida chapter leader Kelly Meggs guilty of seditious conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, and other charges related to the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol breach. The verdict concerns the named defendants and does not establish responsibility for every Oath Keepers member.
- Two Leaders of Oath Keepers Found Guilty of Seditious Conspiracy and Other Charges Related to U.S. Capitol Breach — U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (11/29/2022) [Primary]
On January 13, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Elmer Stewart Rhodes III and ten other individuals affiliated with Oath Keepers with seditious conspiracy and related federal offenses for a documented armed plot connected to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
- Leader of Oath Keepers and 10 Other Individuals Indicted in Federal Court for Seditious Conspiracy and Other Offenses Related to U.S. Capitol Breach — U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (01/13/2022) [Primary]
Oath Keepers was founded in 2009 by Elmer Stewart Rhodes III. The Anti-Defamation League describes it as a right-wing, anti-government militia/patriot-movement organization that recruited principally among current and former military, law-enforcement, and first-responder personnel.
- Oath Keepers — Anti-Defamation League [Primary]
Relationships
11/01/2020 – 01/06/2021
- Leader of Oath Keepers and 10 Other Individuals Indicted in Federal Court for Seditious Conspiracy and Other Offenses Related to U.S. Capitol Breach — U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (01/13/2022) [Primary]
- Two Leaders of Oath Keepers Found Guilty of Seditious Conspiracy and Other Charges Related to U.S. Capitol Breach — U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (11/29/2022) [Corroborating]
01/01/2009
- Oath Keepers — Anti-Defamation League [Primary]