Capitol riot

CLAIM: President Joe Biden told a joint session of Congress that the Capitol riot on January 6 was the “worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.” VERDICT: FALSE. Not only wasn’t it the worst attack on our democracy; it wasn’t even the worst attack on the Capitol. In his first address to Congress, Biden will repeat a lie that has become the foundation of Democrats’ efforts to delegitimize Republican opposition: that the Capitol riot was the “worst attack” on American democracy since the Civil War. It is a laughable proposition. Five people died in connection with the riot, but only one of them as a direct result of the riot — and she was one of the rioters. The riot aimed to disrupt the certification of the Electoral College vote to elect Biden as the next president, but had no realistic hope of stopping it; the certification was held in Congress later that same evening. Here are several “attacks on democracy” since the Civil War that were far more severe than the … [Read more...] about Fact Check: Biden Calls Capitol Riot ‘Worst Attack on Our Democracy Since the Civil War’

A Capitol riot suspect from New Jersey was caught after news of his participation was passed to the grandmother of an anonymous witness. Robert Petrosh of Mays Landing, N.J., was arrested Wednesday and is facing four charges in connection with the riot, according to the Department of Justice . About one week after a mob attacked the Capitol, an anonymous tipster told the FBI that Petrosh was on the steps of the Capitol, according to an FBI affidavit . ADVERTISEMENT When the bureau followed up, the tipster said Petrosh’s mother told their grandmother that Petrosh went inside the Capitol. In late January, the witness told the FBI that Petrosh had been “lying low” after others who entered the Capitol on Jan. 6 were being arrested. The bureau obtained a copy of Petrosh’s drivers license, and found photos of him inside the building. Another FBI agent who knew Petrosh for about 15 years positively identified Petrosh in photos of rioters standing near the House … [Read more...] about Capitol riot suspect caught after grandma gossip

A federal judge on Friday said he would allow one of defendants in a Capitol riot case a call his mother on Mother's Day. Eric Munchel, who was seen in viral images during the riot wielding zip ties in one of the congressional chambers, had been ordered to avoid contact with his mom, Lisa Eisenhart, since she is a codefendant in his case. Both are facing various charges stemming from the Jan. 6 riot, including obstruction of an official proceeding, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. ADVERTISEMENT Judge Royce Lamberth on Friday approved Munchel's motion to make the Mother's Day call. Munchel's attorneys made the request on Thursday , saying the two had not communicated since Jan. 10. "Pursuant to the spirit of the Court’s release order, Mr. Munchel agrees to refrain from discussing any aspect of the case during a Mother’s Day call with his mother," the motion reads. The two codefendants are being held in home confinement while they await trial. … [Read more...] about Judge grants Capitol riot defendant’s request to make Mother’s Day call

Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen claimed Friday on MSNBC’s “Deadline” that Trump “relished” watching the Capitol Police and innocent people being hurt and killed during the deadly riot on January 6. Anchor Nicolle Wallace said, “Let me ask you since you know him, and you understand the sort of sociopathic way his brain works, what is his incentive structure for perpetuating a big lie that killed law enforcement officials. He likes to align himself with law enforcement. They were mutilated by his own supporters at the Capitol. Do you see him looking at it as a sort of pride, that his supporters will even mutilate law enforcement officials for him? Or what do you think he relishes out of what his supporters did in service to him on January 6th?” Cohen said, “That’s a great question. So Donald Trump needs the adulation of the crowd, the way that you need oxygen to breathe. It’s very sad, because instead when he rowdied up that crowd, and he turned around and told … [Read more...] about Cohen: Trump ‘Relished’ Innocent People, Police Being Hurt, Killed at Capitol Riots

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — More than 400 supporters of former President Donald Trump have been charged in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, including members of far-right extremist groups. At least 18 of those cases, including one announced Monday, were against Ohio residents identified by the FBI through social media posts and surveillance footage. READ MORE: Redevelopment Plans For Civic Arena Site Set For Approval Federal prosecutors allege at least four Ohioans charged with the breach had links to the anti-government militia group the Oath Keepers. READ MORE: Firefighter Injured In Mt. Washington Blaze In most cases defendants are charged with entering the Capitol illegally and engaging in violent and destructive conduct while there. Some defendants remain behind bars, while others are free pending upcoming hearings. MORE NEWS: North Hills Middle School Teacher Named Finalist For NHL's Most Valuable Teacher Award (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All … [Read more...] about A Look At Ohioans Facing Charges In Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol Siege