Some defendants from the Capitol riot can return to D.C. for Trump’s inauguration, while others remain barred from attending.
At least 20 people charged in connection with the January 6 attack asked judges if they could attend the event. Most of them got the thumbs up, but a few were told to stay away.
Prosecutors were worried about these defendants returning to the scene of their alleged crimes. They argued it could lead to more trouble. One prosecutor even said it could be a recipe for mob violence again.
Still, 11 defendants have been allowed to go, and some others might join if they’ve finished their sentences. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, really.
One woman, Deborah Lynn Lee from Pennsylvania, is on the list of attendees. She had some pretty wild social media posts before the riot but was allowed to go since she hasn’t been violent since.
A judge pointed out that she’s just there to celebrate, not cause a ruckus. Another couple from New York also got permission, despite prosecutors saying their presence could upset police officers. The judge thought it was unlikely anyone would even recognize them.
The couple plans to hold signs asking Trump to pardon the rioters on his first day back. It’s all a bit surreal, isn’t it?
Others, like a guy from Virginia charged with assaulting police, were not so lucky. The judge said it wouldn’t be right to let someone who tried to disrupt the last inauguration attend this one.
It’s a strange situation, with some people celebrating and others still facing the consequences of their actions. The whole thing is a reminder of how divided things still are.
