Armed with his gun, Guy Reffitt, 48, joined his Texas militia group in Washington, D.C., and became part of the Capitol riots in January 2021 to protest the results of the elections. Unknown to him, his teenage son, Jackson Reffitt, has been in touch with the FBI since December 2020 because he was growing worried about his father's radicalization.
Days following the insurrection, which has left millions of Americans stunned and in tears, the FBI arrested Guy for participating in the Capitol riots. Now, his wife, Nicole, two daughters, Sarah and Peyton, and Jackson have been torn apart after seeing their dad join more than 700 people trashing the Capitol, where the senators and congressmen have been holding sessions.
In an interview with Vice, Nicole admitted that her family was "a little bit broken" after Guy's arrest, and Jackson moved out and cut ties with his mom, sisters, and dad. Jackson said that he knew at some point he had to leave their house or be edged out of it because he never supported his father while his mother remains to support her husband fully. On the other hand, his sisters are challenged to defend both of them in the press.
Paranoia Through the Roof
Before the Capitol riots, Jackson said that his father was constantly joining protests and bringing guns to these events. Jackson said that his paranoia was through the roof in the months leading up to the insurrection as his father's decision and behavior got "worse and worse." The teen worried for his family's safety and life.
When Guy returned home after the Capital riots, he threatened his family if they turned him over to the authorities, saying that traitors would get shot. However, the FBI has been on to him thanks to an early tip from Jackson.
The son believes that he did the right thing by reporting his dad. His only regret with putting Guy in jail was realizing that he has become more radicalized because he's bonding with his fellow rioters in custody.
"I feel like I pushed him in a more extreme direction," Jackson told Vice. "I made him more enthusiastic about what he's done."
In an interview with Teen Vogue, Jackson said that his father used to be "the best dad ever" who taught him to be honest. They went to Black Lives Matter support rallies together. He said that his father raised him with the values that prompted him to go to the authorities because what he saw was no longer right.
Meanwhile, his sister, Peyton, 17, confessed that she feels like she's been "bleeding out on the floor for a whole year" due to her family breaking up and the war of words between the critics of his father and brother from the left and right. Sarah, 24, said that while her father is no hero, she can't prevent condemning Jackson for reporting their dad.
The Reffitts is further torn apart because Jackson has been accused of not helping his mother and sisters, especially with the finances, when he told the FBI he would step up and be the head with their father in jail. Jackson said that while he had access to some government help, his mother refused this because it was "blood money," as her loyalties remain with Guy.
Guy Hopeful He'll Be Free
Jackson believes his father will never forgive him for snitching to the FBI, but Guy told ABC News that he hopes to have a better relationship with his son. For now, however, the focus will be on his exoneration.
Guy believes that he will not end up in prison for the Capitol riots because he "didn't do anything." He said that the last thing he expected from what happened was his family breaking apart. He is looking forward to a full reunion once his trial is over.
