During cross-examination, Dolan testified that the Oath Keepers had no intention of attacking the Capitol or stopping the certification of the electoral college votes. He didn’t witness any conversation online or in person about Oath Keepers planning to be violent or force their way into the Capitol on January 6. He heard no talk of overthrowing the government either.
Defense attorney Philip Linder questioned him if anyone on Jan. 6, 2021, said, “Hey, let’s go get our firearms to D.C. and go crazy!” Dolan responded no. Linder asked if there was any conversation about getting guns and having a fight. “No, not exactly,” Dolan said.While Dolan was with Kenneth Harrelson, a defendant on trial, on the Capitol grounds, he doesn’t recall talking to him about whether they should enter the Capitol or not. Dolan said he entered the Capitol because the crowd went in.
On the morning of January 6, Dolan turned his phone on airplane mode to save battery for taking photos and videos during the day. He said that a few months later, he deleted any evidence that showed he was inside the Capitol after he learned about Harrelson’s arrest in May 2021.
In one of his pictures, the Oath Keepers stood between protestors and Harry Dunn, a Capitol Police Officer. Dolan said that the Oath Keepers were defending Dunn from protesters and that Harrelson had verbally reassured Dunn that he was safe.
While inside the Capitol, Dolan confirmed that he didn’t destroy anything, assault anyone, or enter the House chamber.
Dolan pleaded guilty to two out of five counts: conspiring and obstructing an official proceeding. He was detained for about 20 days, Dolan told the court. He denied having any conversation with the government about his testimony for the Oath Keepers’ trial.
Dolan told a defense counsel that he agreed to cooperate with the government, taking a chance to lower his sentence. He agreed to testify, to tell the truth, said Dolan, but not to make up stories.
If he changes his mind or stops cooperating at any point, Dolan does not know what will happen to him. “I suppose it could be worse.”
Dolan has yet to find out his sentence. He risks six years in prison.
Dolan retired from the military in 2014. He said he enjoyed the time serving the country. He was deployed in Iraq over two decades ago. Dolan told counselor Juli Haller that he was never diagnosed with depression and didn’t seek medical help for his drinking. She told him about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and he responded that no one spoke to him about it.
During his testimony for the Oath Keepers, he didn’t mention Jessica Watkins or Thomas Caldwell, two of the defendants on trial.
The U.S. government charged Harrelson, Watkins, Caldwell, Stewart Rhodes, and Kelly Meggs with seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, aiding and abetting, conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging any duties, destruction of government property, civil disorder, and tampering with documents.
