Vice News reports:

On the eve of the riot at the U.S. Capitol, Roger Stone walked out on stage before hundreds of cheering Trump supporters in Washington, D.C., flashed his signature Nixon Victory pose, and then danced to the Deplorable Choir’s girlpop anthem “Roger Stone Did Nothing Wrong.”

But several members of his posse stayed backstage, their faces covered, wearing military tactical gear. They were members of Oath Keepers, a far-right militia steeped in anti-government conspiracies. And on that night, they appeared to be working as Stone’s security detail, according to photos taken that day and observers of the event.

“This is nothing less than an epic struggle for the future of this country between Dark and Light, between the godly and the godless, between Good and Evil,” Stone bellowed to the crowd on January 5. “And we will win this fight—or America will step off into a thousand years of darkness. We dare not fail!”

“I will be with you tomorrow—shoulder-to-shoulder!” he added.

Oath Keepers were also photographed escorting Stone in a golf buggy to an earlier speech by the Supreme Court. In those images, they are wearing “all access” passes on lanyards.

Stone, a one-time advisor to former President Donald Trump, spoke at protests the day before the official “Stop the Steal” or “Save America” rallies, which were scheduled to take place as lawmakers gathered to certify the results of the 2020 election on January 6.

And over the years, he has made no secret of his habit of fraternizing with extremists. He’s been photographed drinking with the Proud Boys, a far-right street gang, who acted as his security at a political event in Salem, Oregon, in 2018. [Continue reading…]