Tasha Adams, the ex-wife of imprisoned Oath Keeper Stewart Rhodes, expressed her criticism of former President Donald Trump in response to his promise to consider pardoning defendants involved in the January 6 Capitol attack. Rhodes was recently sentenced to 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, the longest sentence handed down to a January 6 defendant thus far.
During an interview on CNN Primetime, host Abby Phillip asked Adams for her thoughts on Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ willingness to consider pardons for the Capitol rioters. Adams stated that it would be futile to try and persuade them because they both understand and agree with Rhodes’ actions.
Adams expressed relief and happiness that Rhodes is behind bars, emphasizing the sense of safety it brings for her and her six children. However, she also voiced concerns about the potential for a pardon depending on future political circumstances. Adams mentioned that her divorce from Rhodes was recently finalized after a lengthy process of five and a half years.
Phillip played clips of Trump and DeSantis discussing the prospect of pardons for individuals involved in the January 6 attack. Adams responded by stating that she doubted anything she could say would make a difference because she believes Trump and DeSantis fully understand who Rhodes is and what he represents, and they support him. Adams described Rhodes as someone who has plotted for war for over a decade and who thrives on creating chaos and violence to further his own agenda.
When asked about the possibility of Rhodes being pardoned, Adams expressed deep concern. She stated that it is Rhodes’ life’s work to incite violence and chaos, emphasizing his intelligence and manipulative nature. Adams firmly believed that if Rhodes were to be pardoned, he would immediately regroup and continue his efforts, potentially leading to another January 6th-like event in the future.
Adams’ remarks shed light on her personal experiences and insights into Rhodes’ character, as well as her concerns regarding the potential consequences of a pardon for him and the safety of the public.
PHILLIP: So, Tasha, you have known Stewart Rhodes for a long time. You know deeply this organization, the Oath Keepers, with all of that knowledge, knowing that for the next 18 years, you and your six children can live your lives with Stewart Rhodes behind bars. How do you feel about that?
TASHA ADAMS, EX-WIFE OF OATH KEEPERS LEADER STEWART RHODES: I am very happy about it. It’s been a great week for us, really, as a family, we’re happy to feel safe. We’re happy he’s in a place where he can’t hurt us, he can’t hurt anybody else. You know, of course, there’s that dark cloud sort of looming of pardon depending on who gets in office next or even, you know, beyond that, the next election. So there’s some, you know, reason for concern. But other than that, it’s, you know, it’s been great to feel safe, really. And it’s been — my divorce was finalized this week after five and a half years of trying to deal with that. So it’s been a lot at once.
PHILLIP: You raised the issue of the pardons. I want to play for you what two presidential campaign candidates have said about the prospect of pardons for people like your ex-husband. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will you pardon the January 6 rioters who were convicted of federal offenses?
DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I am inclined to pardon many of them.
TRAVIS: Do you think the January 6 defendants deserve to have their cases examined by a Republican president?
GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS (R-FL): On day one, I will have folks that will get together and look at all these cases who people are victims of weaponization or political targeting, and we will be aggressive at issuing pardons.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIP: If you could talk to former President Trump, Ron DeSantis, what would you want them to understand about who the Oath Keepers are, who Stewart Rhodes really is?
ADAMS: I’m not sure anything I would say would make any difference because I think they fully understand what he is and what he tried to do, and they fully support it. He is a person who plotted war for over a decade. All he ever thought about was creating chaos, creating violence, violence in the home, violence, you know, in the country, anything that could put himself on top, and any way he could make that happen. And I think, you know, Trump fully understands, DeSantis fully understands, they know what Stewart’s about, and they agree with him.
PHILLIP: Are you worried at all that if Rhodes were pardoned that there would be a risk of another potential January 6th?
ADAMS: Oh, absolutely. This is Stewart’s life’s work. This is what he does. He’s incredibly brilliant. He’s completely manipulative. He’s good at what he does. And he will just regroup immediately. I guarantee he already has plans in the works for as soon as he’s out. He will regroup and he will do this again. And he will do this again until he creates the kind of chaos that he wants to create.
