Since the Capitol riot on January 6th, over 150 people have been charged for their involvement in the siege. For over 100 of the cases, authorities have used social media as evidence, most of the evidence coming from the defendant's own social media accounts. Of those charged, most have been charged through federal cases rather than non-federal. The number of opened cases is expected to grow.
So what have the defendant's been charged with? In order for many to be arrested quickly, they have been charged with misdemeanor crimes, however, more significant charges, such as sedition and conspiracy, are entirely a possibility for those who have been arrested. For example, two members of the Proud Boys, a far-right nationalist group, have recently been charged with conspiracy (along with ten other counts including assaulting an officer and civil disorder) by federal prosecutors. Both these defendants were already facing lesser charges connected to the Capitol attack. These cases are an example of the effort by DC prosecutors to prove that the attacks on the Capitol were planned in advance by groups, such as the Proud Boys.
Since the attack, self-described white-nationalist Richard Barnett has been charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority after taking a picture sitting with his foot up on Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's desk. QAnon & Trump supporter Jacob Anthony Chansley was arrested on the same charge after storming into the Capitol shirtless wearing a buffalo horn headdress. They are two of many who have been arrested.
Because the rioters committed crimes against the government in the Capitol they have violated federal laws and therefore their cases are within the jurisdiction of the federal court. The defendants will likely carry penalties that are much more severe that those levied by state courts, such as a lengthy prison term, expensive fines, restriction from certain occupations and more. Furthermore, the attack on the Capitol cases are being prosecuted by the US Attorney's Office for DC and being investigated by the FBI; US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; US Marshals Service; US Capitol Police Department; and Metropolitan Police Department.
Is charging and arresting hundreds of those present at the Capitol siege enough to protect the legitimacy of the US Democracy that these rioters do not believe in?
Does the US need to put a check on lawmakers and leaders who encouraged the Capitol attack? What about the lawmakers who justify the attack after the fact? What would be the most effective way to do this?
3 comments:
Although seeing many of the capitol rioters prosecuted and charged is a sign of relief, I do not believe that this will be enough to protect the legitimacy of our US democracy. Much of the damage has already been done through the events on January 6th. I do believe that more needs to be done to help ensure that such events never repeat in the future. Although this could take the form of new amendments or protocols the government implement, I do believe that identifying and punishing the lawmakers who justified and supported the attack is also a good step in the right direction. Although lawmakers represent the people, they also have a duty to protect their country and it’s values of democracy instilled by the founding fathers. In the U.S. oath of office for senators, it states that they swear to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” and clearly this attempted coup on January 6th is a clear representation of domestic attack upon our constitution. Such lawmakers have betrayed their oath and thus should be condoned and checked. For example, lawmakers could be checked by holding hearings over their actions and publicly identify them for reference for future governmental position election cycles. However, although I do not know the best and most efficient way of checking them, it is important that this issue becomes the face of much debate and attention beyond just those who physically stormed the capitol.
It is very nice to see these people get arrested. I have seen a lot of these mugshots and they all look a lot less happy than they did during the capitol riot. Hopefully they have come back down to earth and realized that their actions were a big deal and they have consequences. It will definitely be a good lesson learned to all these people who have been caught in the spiral of misinformation and radicalization. In response to the first question, I think this will half way protect the legitimacy of the US. These people have been a great nuciance online and then at the capitol. I think that with Donal Trump out of office, there will be a lot less of this controversy and these supporters will be less of an issue. Trump is already old news, we have moved onto greater things and no one even talks about him anymore. The other half of the solution is to fire the police officers who didn't do their job at the capitol. Any police officer who aided the insurrection should be fired or moved to meter maid. The capitol should not be able to be easily stormed just like that and the people protecting it should have their values in line. Secondly, I do not know how the US can put a check on the policy makers who encouraged the attack. Perhaps they can get Donald Trump in trouble for his encouragement on Twitter but any other policy maker I think is to minor of an impact to worry about. Overall, very crazy and very good to hear that it is coming to an end the right way.
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