The world of anti-government activism is never truly quiet, and sometimes, figures from its past resurface with renewed, albeit often contentious, ambitions. Stewart Rhodes, the convicted leader of the Oath Keepers militia, has announced a significant move: the relaunch of his organization. This development, coming in the wake of his conviction for seditious conspiracy related to the January 6th Capitol attack, marks a bold attempt to recapture a sense of purpose and, perhaps, relevance.
Rhodes, speaking from his current base in Texas, paints a picture of a nation under siege, not by foreign adversaries, but by what he describes as an "insurrection by the left" within American cities. He envisions the relaunched Oath Keepers as a bulwark against this perceived internal threat, even going so far as to suggest that former President Donald Trump could legally mobilize them under federal statutes for specific purposes: to repel invasions, suppress insurrections, and enforce the laws of the Union. This invocation of presidential authority, while legally nuanced and highly contentious, underscores Rhodes’ belief in the continued, and indeed, essential role of organized citizen militias.
However, the enthusiasm for this revival appears to be notably absent, even among those who once walked the same path. Since Rhodes’ announcement, experts in extremist movements, former Oath Keeper members, and online discussions across various platforms suggest a resounding lack of interest in breathing new life into an organization that, at its peak, boasted a leaked membership list of approximately 38,000 individuals in 2021. This lukewarm reception hasn’t deterred Rhodes from actively soliciting financial support for his endeavor, appealing to potential new members and existing sympathizers to contribute to the cause.
The skepticism extends deeply within the former ranks of the Oath Keepers. Janet Arroyo, who co-led a chapter in Chino Valley, Arizona, with her husband Jim Arroyo before the events of January 6th, states that they have had no contact with Rhodes for six years and have no intention of rejoining his rebranded movement. "He hasn’t reached out during his incarceration, nor since being released," Arroyo explained. "No hard feelings, but we are doing what we do and don’t spend a lot of time wondering what he’s up to. The dumb DC stunt has scared a lot of great patriots into hiding. My guess is he won’t be successful."
Another former member, Jessica Watkins, an Army veteran who served a significant prison sentence for her role in the Capitol attack, expressed surprise at the news of the relaunch. "I have not heard of a relaunch, but most J6ers I know are trying to rebuild their lives," Watkins commented. She further highlighted a practical barrier to rejoining: "Felons are not allowed to be in the Oath Keepers or work with them." Her sentence commutation, rather than a full pardon, means her conviction remains, making any active participation impossible.
Kelly Meggs, who led the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers and was also convicted of seditious conspiracy, shares similar reservations. His primary concern is the potential for future repercussions. "I am more worried about the future," Meggs stated. "I think four and five years from now, eight years from now, whenever it is, anyone that is a member of these organizations stands at risk of what I went through." While Meggs indicated a willingness to participate in any Oath Keeper initiatives focused on disaster relief, he firmly drew a line at active street-level engagement or confronting perceived threats like Antifa. "I am not going to be an active member. If they’re doing a big march somewhere, I won’t be there."
An examination of social media and right-wing forums reveals a distinct lack of widespread discussion regarding the relaunch. Meggs suggests that any recruitment is likely happening through "one-on-one conversations," indicating a more clandestine approach rather than broad public appeal.
Jon Lewis, a research fellow at George Washington University’s Program on Extremism, views Rhodes’ actions as a "desperate attempt by Rhodes to cling to relevance." Lewis elaborated, "There’s no real appetite for the Oath Keepers in 2025. Why would any young anti-government extremist trust a failed insurrectionist who got all of his followers arrested?" This sentiment encapsulates a broader critique: the Oath Keepers, under Rhodes’ leadership, are perceived by many as having a tarnished legacy due to their association with the January 6th events and the subsequent legal consequences for its members.
Rhodes himself did not respond to requests for comment from WIRED.
Founded in 2009, the Oath Keepers initially emerged as a response to conspiracy theories suggesting the Obama administration was orchestrating an economic collapse and the imposition of martial law. For years, the group operated largely out of the public eye, but their visibility increased significantly around 2017, when they began providing security at Donald Trump’s rallies. This culminated in the participation of numerous members in the January 6th Capitol attack. Rhodes was convicted in 2023 of seditious conspiracy and handed an 18-year prison sentence. The presiding judge described him as presenting "an ongoing threat and a peril to this country and to the republic and to the very fabric of this democracy."
In January, Rhodes’ sentence was commuted to "time served" by then-President Trump. Crucially, this was a commutation, not a full pardon, meaning his conviction remains on the record, a significant impediment for any attempt to rebuild the organization and its reputation.
Interestingly, Rhodes first hinted at restarting the Oath Keepers following the widely reported assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA. Rhodes controversially claimed that his organization, had it been active, could have prevented Kirk’s death. This assertion, whether strategic or a genuine belief, highlights his continued focus on perceived threats to conservative figures and movements.
The official relaunch was formally announced in an interview with The New American, a publication owned by a subsidiary of the John Birch Society. In this interview, Rhodes initially indicated he was awaiting a full pardon from Trump before proceeding. However, he stated that "recent events" had compelled him to accelerate his plans.
Rhodes’ rhetoric has also evolved, or perhaps solidified, around the concept of presidential authority to deploy troops domestically. Despite the group’s origins in opposing government overreach, Rhodes now appears to fully embrace the idea of a US president utilizing military forces against their own citizens if deemed necessary. "The National Guard is part of the militia, which is why it’s completely lawful for [Trump] to use the National Guard as he has, and he should do more of that, I think, across the country," Rhodes told The Gateway Pundit.
To facilitate the relaunch, Rhodes established a new website on November 3rd, inviting individuals to become members of the reformed Oath Keepers. A yearly membership is set at $100, with the website promising to honor previous lifetime memberships from the original organization. Prospective members are instructed to send checks or money orders payable to "Elmer Stewart Rhodes" to a Texas address where Rhodes resides.
Furthermore, Rhodes has launched a crowdfunding campaign with a stated "modest goal of $75,000" to support the new group. However, just one week into its operation, the campaign had barely surpassed the $1,000 mark, with only 16 donations. The majority of the funds raised came from two $200 contributions, one of which was reportedly from Jim Hoft of The Gateway Pundit. This low level of financial support suggests a limited pool of donors willing or able to contribute to Rhodes’ initiative.
The Oath Keepers’ new website appears to be a work in progress, notably featuring a blank "About" page. Among the listed "classes" is a "Never Surrender" event scheduled in Texas. However, social media posts indicate this event is actually being organized by the Young Republicans of Houston, not the Oath Keepers directly. At the time of publication, ticket sales for the event were paused.
The exact number of individuals who have officially joined the new Oath Keepers remains undisclosed. In his interview with The New American, Rhodes stated that current membership numbers are "classified," a claim that, without corroboration, adds to the air of uncertainty surrounding the group’s actual reach and support.
The Oath Keepers, once a prominent force in the anti-government militia landscape, now faces an uphill battle for resurgence. Stewart Rhodes’ conviction, the lingering impact of January 6th, and a seemingly unenthusiastic former membership base all present significant hurdles. The question remains whether Rhodes can overcome these obstacles and convince a new generation of supporters to rally behind a cause that has, for many, lost its appeal.