Numerous Capitol Hill Rioters Arrested
January 22, 2021
On January 6, a mob of Trump supporters violently stormed the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C, to prevent Congress from certifying Biden’s victory in the Presidential election. Although the insurrection was ultimately unsuccessful, the rioters slowed the certification process and significantly damaged the Capitol building. The rioters broke several laws in the process, and now law enforcement, including the FBI, are tracking down rioters and charging them.
Many rioters have already been arrested. Some of the most prominent include Richard Bennett, who was pictured sitting at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk in an image widely shared around the internet. He is charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and theft of public money, property, or records.
Another prominent figure in the riot that has been arrested is Jacob Anthony Chansley. Pictures of him wearing a fur headdress with buffalo horns were shared across the internet. Chansley was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on the Capitol grounds.
Authorities are continuing to search for more participants, and say they may ultimately arrest hundreds of people.