“You are a lasting threat and danger to the country,” the judge justified the sentence. Rhodes, a lawyer and one-time military paratrooper, led a conspiracy of more than 20 U.S. citizens to violently resist the post-election transition of power, prosecutors said: “Such a direct attack on our democracy and utter disregard for the rule of law justifies a hefty penalty.”
Rhodes, 58, who wears an eye patch and is known and infamous for his tirades, sees himself as a “political prisoner”.
To date, more than 1,000 people have been charged, and nearly 300 convicted, following the attack on the Capitol by supporters of then-Republican President Donald Trump in a failed attempt to thwart Democratic rival Joe Biden’s election victory. Trump had incited his supporters during a speech shortly before the storming. He claimed his victory was “stolen” by massive deception. The storm killed five people and injured dozens. The longest sentence to date was 14 years for a Pennsylvania man who assaulted police.
