Among the thousands of people who participated in the riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 2021 was Pastor Hyung Jin “Sean” Moon and some of his followers: members of the Rod of Iron Ministries. It’s a fringe church that worships guns, believes Jesus was an assault weapons manufacturer, and loves former president Donald Trump. A year after the insurrection, reporter Tess Owen explains the little known history and political ambitions of this church, and what they can tell us about the trajectory of the far right today.

This episode was reported by Tess Owen and produced by Jen Kinney and Sam Eagan. Special thanks to Elgin Strait, Roberto Daza, Jika Gonzalez and Joe LoCascio  

VICE News Reports is hosted by Arielle Duhaime-Ross and produced by Sophie Kazis, Jen Kinney, and Sayre Quevedo. Our senior producers are Ashley Cleek, Adizah Eghan, and Sam Greenspan. Our associate producers are Steph Brown, Sam Eagan, and Adreanna Rodriguez. Sound design and music composition by Steve Bone, Pran Bandi, Natasha Jacobs and Kyle Murdock. 

Our executive producer and VP of Vice Audio is Kate Osborn. Janet Lee is Senior Production Manager for VICE Audio.

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