Jason Van Tatenhove is a former spokesman for the far-right paramilitary group the Oath Keepers. He testified today (July 12) before the House committee investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Van Tatenhove wore a Descendents T-shirt while delivering his testimony, leading the band to tweet: “We completely disavow groups like the Oath Keepers and in no way condone their hateful ideology.”
Many people have reacted to Van Tatenhove’s attire. “Am I hallucinating that this Oath Keeper testifying before congress is wearing a Descendents t-shirt? I just had hernia surgery so this may be the painkillers,” comedian Chris Gethard wrote on Twitter.
Musician and writer Damon Krukowski tweeted, “[Representative] Jamie Raskin [of Maryland] promoted a Mission of Burma show on Harvard campus my freshman year, 1981. It’s possible these are the only two in the room who know the Descendants.”
Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for Descendents for additional comment.