Capitol rioter ‘was looking for the lavatory’
A MAN who was photographed with his feet on Nancy Pelosi’s desk was yesterday convicted for his role in the Capitol riot, despite claiming he was just looking for a lavatory in the building.
Described in court as “everyone’s crazy redneck uncle”, Richard “Bigo” Barnett, 62, from Arkansas, made international headlines when a photograph of him occupying the office of the then House Speaker went viral following the storming of the Capitol on Jan 6 2021.
He left a note for Mrs Pelosi, who at the time was the most powerful Democrat in the US, pending the confirmation of Joe Biden as president. It read: “Nancy, Bigo was here, you b----.”
While awaiting trial in prison, Barnett considered copyrighting his note to capitalise on the image that went vital on social media. Shortly after the riot, Barnett bragged to The New York Times: “I wrote her a nasty note, put my feet up on her desk.” He also stole an envelope from Mrs Pelosi’s desk that was addressed to another member of Congress.
He told the paper, while holding the stolen letter: “I put a quarter on her desk even though she ain’t f------ worth it.” and he said he told police: “I paid for this, it’s mine” before he was pepper sprayed.
During the trial, Barnett testified that he was “pushed” into the Capitol during the riot and was looking for a lavatory he could use inside the building.
The jury convicted Barnett of eight counts, including theft of government property and obstructing an official proceeding. The most serious charge can carry up to 20 years in prison.