Trump supporters accused of storming the Capitol on Jan. 6 now search permission to attend inauguration
Washington — Among the defendants accused of being a part of the Capitol assault on Jan. 6, 2021, are actually asking courts for permission to return to Washington, D.C, on Jan. 20 to attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Lots of the roughly 1,600 individuals who have been charged with felony or misdemeanor crimes for his or her alleged roles within the Jan. 6 assault have been subjected to court docket orders proscribing their journey to and throughout the capital. However some have stated that they need to be afforded permission to return for the inauguration, arguing they don’t seem to be a risk to public security.
In a court docket submitting on Monday, the Justice Division argued towards permitting defendant Christopher Belliveau to attend the inauguration. “The final organized occasion the defendant attended in Washington, D.C., spiraled right into a full-scale riot. This was the scene of his charged crime — a violent felony which contributed to the disruption of the peaceable transition of energy,” federal prosecutors wrote.
“Probably the most compelling cause to disclaim Belliveau’s movement is that permitting his journey to Washington, D.C. locations Capitol Police Officers at risk,” prosecutors added. “Belliveau argues that his lack of violent previous warrants a modification of his circumstances of launch. However that makes his return to the Capitol much more regarding — Belliveau was solely prepared to have interaction in violence towards Capitol Police Officers who had been attempting to maintain a crowd of rioters below management.”
Belliveau is accused of deploying bear spray towards police through the Capitol assault and has pleaded not responsible. He filed his personal movement in help of his request to attend the inauguration. Belliveau’s attorneys argued, “It’s also very important to keep in mind that, whereas Mr. Belliveau stands accused, he’s presumed harmless, thus the mere truth that he’s charged doesn’t recommend that he’s inherently extra harmful that another individual.”
Defendant Cindy Younger, who was discovered responsible on 4 felony costs at trial in August, has additionally sought permission to journey to Washington for the festivities. In her submitting on Dec. 11, Younger’s lawyer stated she has “complied together with her circumstances of launch” for “nicely over a 12 months.”
“She poses no risk of hazard to the group and he or she isn’t a danger of flight. She was allowed to journey a number of instances to Washington, D.C., together with to the Capitol constructing whereas making ready for trial and there have been no incidents,” Younger’s lawyer stated.
However prosecutors opposed Younger’s request. Writing in response per week later, the Justice Division stated Younger has “repeatedly endorsed requires retribution towards these concerned in January 6 prosecutions — particularly jurors, judges, and legislation enforcement — all whom assist make up the D.C. group.” They wrote that Younger “has additionally mocked officer victims,” lots of whom “will, as soon as once more, be tasked in defending the Capitol and Structure on January 20, 2025.” The decide has not dominated on Younger’s request.
William Pope, a Jan. 6 defendant who’s serving as his personal protection lawyer, additionally requested permission to attend the inauguration. In a submitting on Saturday, Pope stated, “I now transfer the Court docket for permission to journey to Washington, D.C. for the aim of attending the Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 2025. Initially, I had declined an invite to attend the inauguration (since I do not get pleasure from being in Washington), nonetheless, I’ve now been requested a second time, and I imagine it could be inappropriate for me to show this request down.”
Pope has pleaded not responsible and is scheduled for trial in Might. The court docket submitting didn’t specify who invited Pope to be in attendance. The Justice Division has not but responded to the request.
Trump has pledged to pardons at the least a few of these charged or convicted with crimes associated to Jan. 6. In response to the most recent Justice Division report, roughly 1,000 defendants have pleaded responsible. Roughly 600 have been charged with assaulting or resisting police. There are a number of fugitives being sought by federal brokers, with extra arrests nonetheless anticipated.
