At a trial this week, David Eastman, Alaska state representative, admitted that he is a member Oath Keepers. He also said that he traveled to Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021 to protest the election. Eastman claims that neither he nor Oath Keepers wanted to overthrow the government.
Joe Miller, his attorney, described Oath Keepers in a positive light. Oath Keepers’ bylaws do not allow for insurrection.
Miller stated that the bylaws “make it very clear that an Oath Keeper cannot do anything to overthrow government,” during the non-jury trial. It’s clearly stated.
Terrorism experts refer to Oath Keepers as an anti-government militia. The group’s leaders were convicted of conspiring to seditiously commit acts leading up the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
This is a problem for Eastman. Although he did not go to the Capitol on that day, he is the subject of a civil suit brought by a former supporter. He claims his membership in the group renders him ineligible for public office due to a disloyalty clause in the state Constitution.
Eastman stated that he had not condemned the group and that it was still a part of his family.
Goriune Dudukgian was the plaintiff’s lawyer. He tried to get Eastman acknowledge that he knew Oath Keepers used force at the Capitol to prevent the certification of the presidential elections. Dudukgian examined the manner Oath Keepers were dressed in combat gear and moved in tight lines as they tried to force their way into the building.
Dudukgian said, “And in military, that would b called a stack formation.”
Eastman, a Army veteran, said that it was probably not what I would call a stack formation. “That was just people walking in a crowd, you see, holding onto each other.”
“And your understanding of their actions in the Capitol that day was that they were proceeding so as to help police?” The lawyer asked. “That’s what you understand?”
Eastman stated that it was.
Dudukgian said, “And you are aware though, sir that at least three of these individuals have now pled guilty seditious conspiration charges,”
Eastman stated, “I’ve heard that.”
The attorney said, “And you’re aware they in the plea agreements or their statements of offense, they admit to marching in those formations and using force inside the Capitol building.”
Eastman stated, “Those aren’t documents I’ve reviewed,”
This provision on loyalty has never been tried in a trial. It states that anyone who is a member of an organization that supports overthrowing the government with force cannot serve in public office.
Zoom has largely conducted the trial. It is expected that it will continue into next week. Miller claims he will call Stewart Rhodes, the Oath Keepers leader. He would then testify from jail.
