Accused Capitol rioters blame Trump for violence, say he invited them

Some of the accused Capitol Hill rioters blame then US President Donald Trump for the 6 January violence. At least six of the 170 people accused of the Capitol siege have tried to shift at least some of the blame onto Trump as they defend themselves in court or in the court of public opinion, news agency Reuters said.

Reuters mentions how Emanuel Jackson, a 20-year-old Washington area man, caught on video using a metal bat to strike the protective shields wielded by police officers on 6 January blamed the former President’s remarks at a “Stop the Steal” rally shortly before the Capitol siege.

Trump told the crowd to “fight like hell,” said “we will not take it anymore” and repeated his false claims that the election was stolen from him through widespread voting fraud. Trump exhorted his followers to go to the Capitol. The ensuing rampage interrupted the congressional certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory, sent lawmakers into hiding and left five people dead including a police officer.

Jackson’s lawyer, Brandi Harden, wrote in a 22 January court filing that “the nature and circumstances of this offense must be viewed through the lens of an event inspired by the President of the United States.”

The Capitol siege, Harden added, “appears to have been spontaneous and sparked by the statements made during the ‘Stop the Steal’ rally.” Harden argued that Jackson should be released while awaiting trial. A judge on Jan. 22 denied the request.

As per Reuters, other defendants to take this route include Jacob Chansley, who donned a horned headdress and face paint during the attack, and Dominic Pezzola, a member of the Proud Boys right-wing extremist group who is accused of shattering a window in the Capitol with a stolen police shield so rioters could enter.

“The boss of the country said, ‘People of the country, come on down, let people know what you think,’” Pezzola’s defense lawyer, Michael Scibetta, told Reuters. “The logical thinking was, ‘He invited us down.’”

Lawyers have not yet sought dismissal of charges or acquittal during a trial based on the idea that Trump incited their clients, instead making the claim as part of efforts to spare them from pretrial detention.