So much for a “peaceful” protest.
Molotov Cocktail. Rifle and Pistol. pipe bomb. Body armor and zip-tie shackle.
The MAGA mob invading Washington, DC and the US Capitol showed up to “protest” with the implementation of the fight – which a federal prosecutor called a “very dangerous situation”.
He was not prevented from sacking the Congress house on Wednesday, but now federal officials are accusing him of the first murderous rebellion.
Michael Sherwin, acting U.S. Attorney for DC, said in a press conference Thursday, “The most we can charge.” “this is just the begining.”
Sherwin said prosecutors are filing federal charges in 15 criminal cases related to Wednesday’s violence. They include the man arrested with his “military semi-automatic rifle” and 11 Molotov cocktails, who was “ready to go”, another rioter with a pistol, and a third guard who repeatedly frequented a policeman. Used to punch the officer.
Asked if he was planning to investigate the White House, Sherwin insisted that all options were still on the table and his investigation into the riots continued. The top prosecutor said that his office is also looking to bring charges against those who have organized the riot.
“We are trying to deal with the nearest crocodile by boat right now,” Sherwin said. “Those are the ones who clearly disbanded the Capitol, perpetrated violence and scuffles there and then exited. But yes, we are seeing all the actors here, not just those who went to the building. “
Sherwin said he would consider charges of treason and rebellion, but his office would begin with “the easiest” offenses. He did not exclude the possibility of legal action against President Donald Trump, his lawyer Rudy Giuliani, or any of the other speakers who pitted the crowd in front of the riots.
The Daily Beast received an affidavit from an officer in the Capitol Police — a force used to defend the US legislative affairs seat — detailing how Mark Jefferson Leffingwell, one of the hundreds of right-wing rioters, made his way onto campus Lawmakers were attempting to authenticate the November victory of President-Elect Joe Biden.
The officer describes how Leffingwell punched him when he attempted to stop him from joining the crowd that eventually reached the Senate chamber.
“When they were prevented from moving into the building, Leffingwell punched me repeatedly with a closed fist,” the officer wrote in the statement. “I was killed in the helmet I was wearing and chested.”
Police describe how he and his associates subdued Leffingwell after the conflict. Once in custody, the officer reveals that Leffingwell apologized for attacking him.
Efforts to reach Leffingwell and his family were not immediately successful. He faces charges for being a federal law enforcement officer as well as several counts of trespassing in a restricted building and committing violence inside.
In a separate complaint, a DC Metropolitan Police officer detailed his encounter with Christopher Michael Alberts of Maryland. While enforcing Mayor Muriel Bouser’s curfew and removing protesters from the Capitol grounds, police reported that bulletproof-vested Alberts attempted to retreat.
When he praised the 33-year-old, the officer said he realized Alberts had a pistol – and when searched, he had ammunition, a knife, gas mask, first aid kit, and a military meal. Got food. Alberts faces federal charges of carrying a firearm and ammunition on the Capitol Ground and violating curfew. Attempts to contact Alberts were not successful.
While right-wing media on Wednesday afternoon repeatedly called the violent siege of the Capitol a “peaceful” allegation, as well as showing pictures from the day that it was anything.
Many rioters imposed weapons and sanctions about their intentions in an ominous gesture. Some appear in photos and videos carrying flex cuffs and zip ties, often used as instantaneous handcuffs.
A man, dressed in black with a “black rifle coffee” cap and handgun-shaped object in his hip, was seen walking through seats in the Senate with a bundle of disposable flex cuffs in hand, while a The other person was wearing body armor and clothes. A Navy SEAL-style MHH helmet with cuffs in hand was on the Senate floor. Shortly before the siege, another man with “Hell Kill Kameez” is seen sitting on his helmet, outside the Capitol with a bundle of zip ties tied over his body armor.
Others turned to irritability, handcuffs and explosives.
“The violent attack on the US Capitol was contrary to my 30 years of experience in law enforcement in Washington, DC,” Capitol Police Chief Steven Sundar said in a statement.
“[Thousands of] Persons actively attacked [officers] With metal pipes, discharged chemical barriers, and took up other weapons against our officers. They were determined to enter the Capitol Building with considerable damage. “
Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Conte said Thursday that he had made 68 arrests, including several cases of possessing unlicensed pistols and seized two pipe bombs placed at Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters.
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