Courts Allow Some January 6th Protesters To Attend Trump Inauguration

Following Donald Trump’s defeat in the 2020 presidential election, thousands of his followers stormed the US Capitol and now to celebrate Mr. Trump’s return to the White House, some of them are permitted to return to the nation’s capital four years later.

According to court documents, at least 20 defendants who were accused or found guilty of participating in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, have requested permission from federal judges to attend President-elect Trump’s second inauguration on Monday in Washington, DC. While some are unable to go, the majority can.

Prosecutors from the Justice Department have often maintained that while defendants in Capitol riot cases are being monitored by the court, they shouldn’t be permitted to return to the scene of their crimes.

A prosecutor wrote in opposing a New York couple’s travel request, “What’s past is prologue, and the defendants could easily find themselves in another situation where they engage in mob violence.”

The court has allowed at least 11 defendants to attend the inauguration, which is the day that Mr. Trump might pardon a large number of Capitol rioters. At least seven other people have had their requests turned down by judges. If they have served their time, many additional convicted Capitol rioters might be allowed to attend.

After being arrested, placed on probation, or released from prison, people who are still under court supervision usually need permission from a judge to travel outside of their home area. Deborah Lynn Lee, a Pennsylvania woman who is accused of posting social media comments in the days preceding the riot demanding the killing of her political rivals, is among those who can attend.

Lee faces sentencing on January 27th after being accused in August 2021 and found guilty of four misdemeanors following a trial in October. Carlos Valdivia, a prosecutor for the Justice Department, contended that Lee’s return to Washington would “create an absurd situation” and put Capitol police officers in danger.

Mr. Valdivia said, “Lee’s presence in D.C. was restricted for years to keep the community safe, but she would be allowed to return in a few days to attend a ceremony that demands heightened security.” Lee’s plea was granted by Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui, who pointed out that she has met her parole requirements and is not accused of using violence. This time, Ms. Lee “is coming to celebrate, not demonstrate,” according to the magistrate.

“While the Court is tasked with predicting the future, this is not ‘Minority Report’. “There has to be credible evidence of future danger to justify related release conditions,” Mr Faruqui wrote.

While awaiting a trial in April, District Judge John Bates consented to let Carol Moore and Kevin Moore, a couple from New York, attend the inauguration. Although prosecutors claimed that the Moores’ presence may “retraumatize” police officers, Mr. Bates stated that it was doubtful that any officers present at the inauguration would recognize them.

The judge wrote, “First, the past is not prologue here.” “Compared to the last event the Moores attended that involved the transfer of power, the inauguration is completely different in nature.”In other words, the majority of the audience at the inauguration will be in favour of the peaceful handover of power rather than against it.

The Moores want to join others in holding placards that read “Day One,” which calls on Trump to fulfill his campaign pledge to pardon Capitol rioters on his first day back in office, according to the couple’s attorney. Mr. Trump has called the defendants from January 6th “patriots” and “hostages” on several occasions.

A New Jersey man who reported himself to the FBI, a New Hampshire woman who faces a four-month prison sentence, and a New Jersey guy who is suspected of using a megaphone to incite other rioters are among the defendants in the January 6th incident who were permitted to be in Washington on Monday.

Rebecca Lavrenz, a Colorado bed and breakfast owner and self-described “J6 praying grandma,” was permitted to attend the inauguration while she was on probation.