WASHINGTON — Before the Jan. 6 riot, a teenager tipped the FBI about his dad. 6 Riot and later gathered evidence following the attack on Capitol.
Jackson Reffitt, 19-year-old, was the son of Jan.6 defendant Guy Reffitt. He told jurors during the second day’s testimony in his father’s trial, that he was at his Texas home and searched “FBI tip” with his phone. His father had spoken about his plans to visit Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021.
“I didn’t know what was happening. I just felt gross. It’s hard to explain. Jackson Reffitt spoke out about his Christmas Eve tip to the FBI. He stated that he had decided to “shut down my day” and he was watching Christmas TV, then he got on his phone to not dwell on the matter.
Guy Reffitt was emotional throughout his son’s testimony. He broke down as his son testified. Nicole Reffitt (Jackson’s mother and Guy’s wife) told reporters that she told Jackson that she loved him after she saw him in court. Jackson Reffitt stated that it was difficult and sad to be separated from his family following the arrest of his father.
Guy Reffitt’s court-appointed attorney William Welch told jurors Wednesday the government’s case was built on “bragging” and “a lot of hype”. Reffitt’s confrontation with police was short and ended after he was pepper spray.
Welch made a brief opening statement, “Guy Reffitt didn’t go in the Capitol.” “Guy brags, he exaggerates and rants. He uses hyperbole a lot, which upsets people.
Jackson Reffitt stated Thursday that he had a “pretty good” relationship with his father prior to 2016, when he was entering highschool. Jackson stated that the pair did not agree on politics and said that Jackson moved more to the left than his father during Trump’s era.
Jackson Reffitt testified before the court that he told the FBI about his father who was an affiliate of the Texas Three Percenters after a dispute over the family’s December 2020 text chain. This occurred just weeks before the Riot. His father had spoken of doing “something big” for August 2020, but nothing happened. Guy Reffitt began to talk about Congress’ “fatal errors” after Donald Trump lost the election. His son then said that he was going to announce something huge.
“When will you realize that the Democrats use race to suppress minorities? We The People will die for their safety. It was done in the Civil War, and it is happening again. Guy Reffitt said that it’s the government who is going to die in this battle. “Hold my beer, and I’ll show it to you.”
Jackson Reffitt responded: “I thought that I was going to find something in August.”
Guy Reffitt replied, “Your first mistake was that you thought.”
Guy Reffitt, who wrote in the chain that something was about to occur, said that it “will shock all the world.”
Guy Reffitt continued to comment on the family tree shortly after his son had sent the tip off to the FBI.
“Time to get rid of them. This is why I’m heading to DC. He wrote, “Promise, I’m Not Alone.”
Reffitt was presented with extensive evidence by the government, including video from before, during, and after the attack. Much of it was recorded and generated by Reffitt. Reffitt also recorded video Jan. 6 using a helmet-mounted camera.
Reffitt stated, “Everybody’s going out kicking” as he recorded himself speaking to others at the Trump rally, adding profanities. He said, “I’m taking over the Capitol with everyone” Reffitt listened to songs from Trump’s favorite playlist, “Gloria”, and “Don’t Stop Believin’,” as Reffitt outlined his alleged plan for Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), to get out of the Capitol.
Reffitt also confessed to the government that he was planning ahead and preparing for the attack in the family group chat. Prosecutors said that Reffitt also discussed his plan and actions in an encrypted Telegram group chat. He also recorded a Zoom conversation on which he is accused of confessing to his actions.
Jackson Reffitt’s testimonies were also used by the prosecution to confirm photos of the family home. He secretly recorded his father telling his story about Jan. 6, when Guy Reffitt led the mob up to the Capitol steps and faced off against officers trying to stop the rioters reaching Congress members inside. One photo of Guy Reffitt’s bedroom showed a camouflage Trump cap hanging from his bed frame. His holstered handgun was also on his nightstand, next to two empty Coronas. Jackson Reffitt verified these photos.
Guy Reffitt was charged with illegally transporting a firearm across state lines to support civil disorder and obstruction in an official proceeding.
Reffitt could argue that the gun holster that he was wearing on his hip during the attack did not have a gun inside it. Reffitt, however, stated in multiple formats and settings that he was armed.
Guy Reffitt, Guy’s son, said that the gun was loaded. “I brought a weapon.”
On the Zoom call, he said that he had his “.40”, his gun on his side, during the Capitol attack. He also mentioned that he knew other people who were also armed. He said on video that “they’re lucky we didn’t shoot them”.
Jackson Reffitt stated that Guy Reffitt did not immediately appear to be concerned about being charged or arrested in connection to the attack upon his return home.
Jackson Reffitt posted in the family group chat, “Yeah, you know they’re tracking down everybody who was there right?”
“Yeppers,” Guy Reffitt replied.
“Isn’t it that ya know …,” his father wrote.
“Yep, don’t care,” Guy Reffitt replied. “I broke no laws.”
Prosecutors said Guy Reffitt’s attitude started to shift. He was accused of threatening his children if he wasn’t turned in.
Guy Reffitt is said to have stated, “If I turn you in, you’re traitor and you know how it goes to traitors… traitors are shot.”
Jackson Reffitt said that, despite the hardships his family has gone through, he believes he did what was right. After receiving a call from his mom advising him that the FBI was at his house, he said it was “surreal”.
He said, “I don’t regret it but it’s a lot.” It’s hard to describe. This is my ideal scenario.
Federal prosecutor stated Thursday that the government expected to end its case Monday afternoon.
