Arrests made in wake of chaos in US Capitol
WASHINGTON: Two men accused of being among a mob of Donald Trump supporters that stormed the United States Capitol — one wearing a horned, fur hat and the other carrying House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lectern — have been charged over the mayhem that left five people dead.
The arrests come as more images emerge showing just how violent the riots were: a bloodied officer crushed in a doorway screaming; another tumbling over a railing into the crowd below after being bodyslammed from behind; members of the media being shoved and punched.
Jacob Chansley, of Arizona, who was seen in photos and videos with a painted face and wearing the horned headdress, was taken into custody yesterday and charged with counts that include violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
Chansley is among dozens arrested in the wake of the Capitol invasion by a mob of enraged Trump supporters who took over the House and Senate chambers, smashed windows, and forced lawmakers to halt their voting to affirm Presidentelect Joe Biden’s victory and go into hiding for hours.
A man accused of making off with Pelosi’s lectern during the chaos was arrested on a federal warrant and is being held in Pinellas County, Florida.
Adam Johnson, of Florida, was charged with theft, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
The married father of five was quickly identified on social media by local residents.
By yesterday, prosecutors had filed 17 cases in federal district court and 40 others in the District of Columbia Superior Court for a variety of offences including assaulting police and entering restricted areas. — AP