In-person witnesses lament their right-wing radicalization

The two in-person witnesses at Tuesday's hearing described how they were radicalized by right-wing groups and Trump himself, and how it destroyed their lives and continues to pose a threat to American society.

Jason Van Tatenhove, a former national spokesman for the Oath Keepers, described the "radicalization" that he witnessed with the group, and said the country was "lucky" there wasn't more bloodshed on January 6, when four rioters and one police officer died. Other police officers later died by suicide.

"I'll admit, I was, at one point, swept up too," Van Tatenhove said of his time with the Oath Keepers. "There were many red flags, and I probably should have broken from them earlier than I did."

Stephen Ayres, a convicted Capitol rioter who breached the building on January 6, returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday as a cooperating witness. He explained how he was "riled up" by Trump's speech and never planned to go to the Capitol but was "following what (Trump) said" during his Ellipse address.

He said because of January 6, he lost his job, sold his house and was a convicted criminal.

"It changed my life, not for the good, definitely not for the better," he said. He added that he no longer believes Trump's lies about the 2020 election, but warned that there are millions of people who still do, which poses a threat for future elections.

"It could end up being down the same path we are right now," Ayres said. "I felt like I had horse blinders on. Take the blinders off, and make sure you step back and see what's going on, before it's too late."

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/07/12/politics/january-6-heari...

Inspirational, no?

5 years is the minimum.