1 of 2 Trump supporters force bars in front of the Capitol, the US Congress building Photo: Julio Cortez/AP Photo Trump supporters force bars in front of the Capitol, the US Congress building Photo: Julio Cortez/AP Photo
Members of rightwing extremist groups. Former police officers. An Olympic gold medalist swimmer. Marines.
They are among the hundreds of people convicted by US courts for participating in the attack on the nation's Capitol on January 6, 2021.
On this occasion, supporters of thenPresident Donald Trump broke into the US Congress building with the aim of keeping the Republican in power even after his defeat in the 2020 elections to Democrat Joe Biden. At least nine people who were at the Capitol died during or after the insurrection.
Three years after the invasion, the federal court in Washington continues to hold trials and hearings and impose sentences on those involved in the case. And the work of what is already the largest criminal investigation in American history is far from over, as the search for suspects continues.
Authorities still need to identify more than 80 people wanted for violence at the Capitol and figure out who planted pipe bombs outside the offices of the Republican and Democratic National Committees the day before the attack.
“The Department of Justice will hold all perpetrators of January 6th accountable at every level to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of whether they were present that day or were otherwise criminally responsible for the attack on our democracy,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday (5).
The cases are being heard in the same court where Donald Trump is scheduled to go on trial in March on charges of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election defeat and inciting the attack on the Capitol.
Watch the January 6 defendants' cases progress:
Who has been charged so far?
More than 1,230 people were charged with federal crimes in the riots for committing everything from minor crimes like trespassing to serious crimes like assaulting police officers and seditious conspiracy (attempting to overthrow the government).
- About 730 people pleaded guilty and about 170 were convicted after trial.
- Two defendants acquitted of all charges.
- About 750 people were convicted and almost twothirds were behind bars.
The sentences ranged from a few days of temporary detention to 22 years in prison. The longest sentence was handed down to Enrique Tarrio, the former national president of the Proud Boys, who prosecutors said was convicted of seditious conspiracy over a plot to prevent the transfer of power from Trump to Biden.
Many of the attackers have already been released from prison after serving their sentences, including some defendants who committed violent crimes.
Several defendants fled after the arraignment.
For example, Christopher Worrell of Florida was convicted of using pepper spray on police officers but disappeared while under house arrest. The police captured him after a few weeks and on Thursday (4) he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Another case is that of Jonathan Pollock, who is accused of hitting a police officer in the face and throat with a shield, knocking down a police officer and assaulting several others. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $30,000 for information leading to the arrest of the fugitive.
In addition, dozens of people suspected of attacking police officers during the unrest have not yet been identified by authorities. This is particularly a problem considering that the statute of limitations for crimes is five years and therefore they must be formally charged by January 6, 2026.
In August 2023, Trump became a defendant after he was accused of attempting to illegally overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The invasion of the Capitol was seen as part of attempts to intervene in the elections.
Trump has been formally accused of participating in three conspiracies to commit crimes:
- Conspiracy to defraud the United States.
- Conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.
- Conspiracy against the rights of Americans.
He will also face a fourth crime, although not as part of a conspiracy:
- Obstruction or attempted obstruction of an official proceeding.
On the occasion, prosecutor Jack Smith, who is leading the case, made a short speech: “The attack of January 6, 2021 was an unprecedented attack on democracy, it was motivated by lies from the defendant because he did not want the prosecution and.” Certification of the election results,” Smith said.
The case is scheduled to be heard between March and April this year and could involve hundreds of defendants accused of the same crimes as the former president. At least two judges have postponed sentencing in their cases until after the Supreme Court ruling.
While it remains unclear whether there is a connection between the incidents, one of the biggest unsolved mysteries surrounding the insurrection is the identity of the person who planted two pipe bombs outside the offices of the Republican and Democratic National Committees the day before the attack on Republicans and Democrats Democrats have placed Capitol. .
A video released by the FBI shows a person wearing a gray hoodie, mask and gloves placing the devices in front of committees on the evening of January 5th. However, the bombs were not found until the following day. The devices were neutralized and no one was injured.
Over the past three years, investigators have conducted interviews, analyzed evidence and reviewed public complaints related to the matter but have found nothing. In 2023, authorities increased the reward to up to $500,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible.
“We urge anyone who has previously hesitated to come forward or who may not have realized they had important information to contact us and share relevant information,” FBI Director David Sundberg said Thursday in a statement.
2 of 2 The FBI poster shows a suspect who planted bombs in Washington on January 6, 2021. — Photo: FBI The FBI poster shows a suspect who planted bombs in Washington on January 6, 2021. — Photo: FBI