Former Capitol Police officers Harry Dunn and Aquilino Gonell, who defended the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection, were booed and jeered by several Pennsylvania House Republicans during a visit to the state House of Representatives. The incident highlights the deep political divisions over the legacy of Jan. 6, with some GOP lawmakers walking out in protest. Democratic lawmakers condemned the behavior, emphasizing the officers' bravery and sacrifice.
Former President Donald Trump criticized actor Robert De Niro on Truth Social after De Niro spoke in support of President Joe Biden outside Trump's criminal trial in New York, addressing Trump's role in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. De Niro warned of the dangers of a potential Trump return to the White House, while being heckled by Trump supporters.
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal from former New Mexico county commissioner Couy Griffin, who was banned from office due to his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Griffin, a cowboy pastor and Trump supporter, was the only elected official to be disqualified in connection with the attack. The ruling could set a precedent for holding other state and local officials accountable for their roles in the insurrection. Griffin, convicted in federal court for entering a restricted area on Jan. 6, claims he was leading a prayer and not engaging in violence. The Supreme Court's decision affirms that states have the authority to disqualify individuals from holding state office.
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal from former New Mexico county commissioner Couy Griffin, who was banned from office due to his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Griffin, a cowboy pastor and Trump supporter, was convicted in federal court for entering a restricted area on Capitol grounds and received a 14-day prison sentence, which is under appeal. The ruling could impact efforts to hold other state and local officials accountable for their roles in the attack, and Griffin has criticized the decision, claiming it sets a dangerous precedent for democracy.
Democratic challenger Colin Allred is targeting Senator Ted Cruz over his alleged role in fomenting the Jan. 6 insurrection, accusing him of aiding Donald Trump's unconstitutional efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Allred aims to highlight Cruz's objection to certifying Joe Biden's victory and his proposal to delay certification for an audit, while seeking evidence against Cruz and other GOP officials in Trump's trial. Cruz's recorded conversations and actions are being used to support these claims, as Allred positions the upcoming election as a battle for democracy and freedom.
The 1954 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Puerto Rican nationalists, seeking independence for their homeland, has gained renewed significance as the Justice Department has prosecuted Jan. 6 insurrectionists using the same statute. The violent events of 1954, which injured five congressmen, were aimed at drawing attention to Puerto Rico's status and pressuring the U.S. government for independence. The case has parallels to the Jan. 6 insurrection, with both episodes involving violent acts seeking political outcomes and interfering with official proceedings in the Capitol. The 1954 case has been cited in high-profile Jan. 6 prosecutions, highlighting its continued impact on American democracy.
Donald Trump claimed he intentionally mixed up the names of Nancy Pelosi and Nikki Haley, stating he's not a fan of either, and suggested they both "stink." This comes after his previous blunder of naming Haley "in charge of security" during the Jan. 6 insurrection. Critics mocked Trump for his use of the word "interpose," with some questioning his mental fitness. Haley responded by questioning Trump's sharpness and mental fitness, while the former president faced backlash for his remarks.
Donald Trump claimed he intentionally mixed up the names of Nancy Pelosi and Nikki Haley, stating that he's not a fan of either. This comes after previously naming Haley "in charge of security" during the Jan. 6 insurrection, which he later clarified was a mistake. Critics mocked Trump for his use of the word "interpose" and questioned his mental fitness, while Haley suggested he's "not as sharp as" he used to be.
Donald Trump mistakenly blames Nikki Haley for security issues during the Jan. 6 insurrection, confusing her with Nancy Pelosi, and claims that evidence was destroyed. He falsely asserts that Haley was in charge of security and turned down 10,000 troops, despite Pelosi not being responsible for Capitol security. Critics mock Trump's remarks, questioning his grasp of the situation.
Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY) plans to introduce a resolution censuring Elise Stefanik for promoting conspiracy theories about voter fraud and defending the Jan. 6 insurrectionists as "hostages." Goldman accuses Stefanik of prioritizing personal ambitions over integrity and being a staunch supporter of Donald Trump. Stefanik's recent shift in rhetoric, expressing concerns for the treatment of Jan. 6 "hostages," has drawn criticism for echoing former president Trump.
Rep. Elise Stefanik faces a censure motion from Rep. Dan Goldman over her support for Jan. 6 "insurrectionists," prompting a heated exchange between the two. Stefanik's office retaliates by accusing Goldman of unethical behavior and radicalism. The censure motion is unlikely to pass in the Republican-controlled House, and Stefanik's supporters defend her as an effective leader.
A Republican member of the Maryland State Board of Elections, Carlos Ayala, was arrested and charged for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Ayala, who resigned from the board, faces charges including civil disorder and related misdemeanor offenses. He was identified in video footage and allegedly participated in the riot, prompting shock and calls for changes in the appointment process for elections board members. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and investigations into individuals involved in the Capitol breach are ongoing.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal that could potentially overturn hundreds of charges related to the Capitol riot, including those against former President Donald Trump. The appeal challenges the charge of obstruction of an official proceeding, which has been brought against over 300 individuals involved in the riot. The court's decision to review this charge could potentially delay Trump's trial, currently scheduled for March 4. The obstruction charge is widely used in the federal prosecution of the riot, and a ruling in favor of the appeal could have significant implications for other cases. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in March or April, with a decision expected by early summer.
House Speaker Mike Johnson's office walked back his statement that the faces of Jan. 6 insurrectionists would be blurred in security footage to avoid prosecution by the DOJ. A spokesperson clarified that the decision was to protect rioters from harassment by the public, not from prosecution, as the DOJ already has access to the raw footage. The release of thousands of hours of security footage from the Capitol riot has been instrumental in the prosecution of 1,200 rioters. Johnson and other Republicans have pushed for the full release of the footage to portray the insurrection as mostly non-violent, despite numerous charges involving serious bodily injury to police officers.
Gregory Yetman, a suspect wanted for his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection, has surrendered to authorities in New Jersey after a two-day manhunt. Yetman turned himself in without incident and is now in FBI custody. He had been subject to a search after fleeing into the woods near his home when officers attempted to serve him with an arrest warrant. Yetman faces federal charges including assault on officers and obstructing law enforcement. He is one of many individuals still on the FBI's wanted list for their involvement in the Capitol riots.
