Over a dozen Capitol rioters say they were following Trump’s directions
With former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial starting today, Senate Democrats are focused on trying to tie a direct line between Trump’s rhetoric and the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters.
An ABC News investigation into the nearly 200 accused rioters facing federal charges for their alleged involvement at the Capitol — based on court filings, military records, interviews, and available news reports– found that at least fifteen individuals who stormed the building have since said that they acted based on Trump’s encouragement, including some of those accused of the most violent and serious crimes.
“I believed I was following the instructions of former President Trump,” said Garret Miller in a statement released through his lawyer. “I also left Washington and started back to Texas immediately after President Trump asked us to go home.”
Miller, who admitted to entering the Capitol in his statement, also threatened to “assassinate” Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez that same day, which he apologized for.
“While I never intended to harm Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez nor harm any members of the Capitol police force, I recognize that my social media posts were completely inappropriate,” said Miller, who is facing five charges, including making threats, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. “They were made at a time when Donald Trump had me believing that an American election was stolen. I want to publicly apologize to Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and the Capitol police officers.”
Robert Bauer told FBI Agents in an interview that he “marched to the U.S. Capitol because President Trump said to do so,” according to court records. Bauer pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, according to local reports. His lawyer declined to comment when reached by ABC News.
At least one rioter said he is willing to testify during the impeachment trial about how Trump’s words resonated with him, according to his lawyer.
“He heard the words of the president. He believed them. He genuinely believed him,” Jacob Chansley’s lawyer, Al Watkins, told ABC News in an interview. “He thought the president was walking with him.”
During his speech at the “Stop the Steal” rally on the National Mall before the riot, Trump had urged his supporters to “walk down to the Capitol” alongside him to protest the certification of the election. “You’ll never take back our country with weakness,” Trump declared. “You have to show strength, and you have to be strong.” [Continue reading…]