Acting US attorney announces Capitol riots charges, says more will come

Prosecutors could lay serious charges against those who stormed the Capitol on Wednesday as lawmakers scrambled to certify Joe Biden’s 2020 Electoral College victory, a acting U.S. lawyer said Thursday.

“We’re not going to keep anything out of our arsenal for possible charges,” Interim District of Columbia District Attorney Michael R. Sherwin said at a press conference. “We will bring as many charges as possible depending on the conduct.”

These could include riots, sedition and insurgency. “All of these accusations are on the table,” he said.

On Thursday afternoon, he said his office plans to refer 15 federal cases to a trial judge by the end of the day with more expected. 40 other cases were indicted in DC Superior Court.

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But he said in order to keep the process going, prosecutors started with the “easiest charges to prove” – ​​gun-related offenses, theft and illegal entry into the Capitol.

Trump supporters wave to U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside the Senate Chamber after entering the halls of the Capitol in Washington, Jan.6 (AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta)

He said protesters stole numerous items from various congressional offices.

“There are national security concerns – electronic equipment and documents have been stolen,” Sherwin said. “These could have potential national security actions. We do not yet know the magnitude.”

He also confirmed that two suspected explosive devices discovered during the chaos were real. And a man is accused of having 11 Molotov cocktails and a semi-automatic rifle.

Sherwin said hundreds of federal investigators were involved, including members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the FBI and the US Marshals Service.

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He also criticized the Capitol Police who he said made the punishment of the rioters “more difficult” by not arresting them as they left the building.

“Why they weren’t tied when they left the building, I don’t know. Sherwin said.

In a statement, the DC Police Union, which represents the city’s Metropolitan Police Department, not its Capitol Hill counterparts, said its officers responded after Capitol Police called for reinforcement. .

“When we arrived, it was evident that our fellow United States Capitol Police officers were valiantly trying to stop the onslaught of rioters,” the union said. “While it is not clear at this preliminary stage how exactly the building was broken down so quickly, it seems likely that the United States Capitol Police leadership was ill-prepared for this attack, both in numbers and in resources. . “

Protesters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon following a pro-Trump rally in which the CEO and other speakers continued to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Asked about the possibility that President Trump would face charges for allegedly inciting the crowd, Sherwin raised the issue without ruling it out.

“We are looking at all the actors here, and whoever has a role, and the evidence matches the elements of a crime,” he said. “They are going to be charged.”

Justice Department officials then echoed the comments and said investigators were looking at “all the players”, not the president in particular.

During the breach, at least four people died, including Ashli ​​Babbitt, a California Air Force veteran supporting Trump, who police said was shot dead by a Capitol officer.

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The joint session of Congress had to be adjourned early and postponed as guards evacuated Vice President Mike Pence and lawmakers. Photos show officials wearing gas masks as they exited the house and authorities barricading doors and firing guns to protect others inside as protesters clashed with police in hallways or banged on to doors.

Jake Gibson of Fox News contributed to this report.