The Justice Department is reportedly narrowing its focus on prosecuting the most “egregious” offenders involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 protest at the U.S. Capitol building.
Of particular concern are those who committed felony assaults on law enforcement officers, according to an NBC News report. This development comes after President-elect Donald Trump won the presidential election and prepares to take office in early 2025.
The primary reason for the Justice Department’s tighter focus is likely the possibility that Trump will pardon or commute the sentences of many of those who were arrested and are facing prosecution over Jan. 6. His victory has sparked optimism among the defendants and those supporting them.
During the 2024 campaign, Trump promised to pardon those targeted by the state over the riot and protest. He has repeatedly referred to these individuals as “warriors,” “unbelievable patriots,” and political “hostages.”
Trump’s victory has undoubtedly stirred up a level of unease among prosecutors who pretend the riot was a direct threat to democracy and wish to throw the book at as many people as they can over the matter.
Given Trump’s stunning election victory, federal prosecutors in the Justice Department’s Capitol Siege Section received guidance this week about how to proceed in pending Jan. 6 cases, NBC News has learned, including a directive to oppose any Jan. 6 defendant’s requests for delays. Prosecutors are instructed to argue that there is a societal interest in the quick administration of justice and these cases should be handled in the normal order.
As for new arrests, the law enforcement official said, prosecutors will “focus on the most egregious conduct and cases until the end of the administration.” There are unlikely to be any further arrests of misdemeanor Jan. 6 defendants — such as those who entered the Capitol but did not assault law enforcement — unless a judge already signed off on those cases, but felony assault cases will proceed, the official said.
Online sleuths who have aided the FBI in hundreds of arrests of Capitol rioters told NBC News they have identified and submitted evidence to the bureau on 75 people who are currently featured on the FBI’s Capitol Violence webpage and labeled as wanted for assault on a federal officer or for assault on media, both felonies.
Federal officials would have to pick up the pace to get just those cases over the finish line before Trump walks through the lower west tunnel — where his supporters fought law enforcement in a battle multiple officers described as “medieval” — to take the oath of office on Jan. 20, 2025.
“Just over 1 per day,” one of the online “sedition hunters” who has dedicated hours of their life to finding the Trump supporters who brutally assaulted law enforcement officers that day, told NBC News. “Place your bets!”
“We didn’t spend the last four years tracking these criminals down just to have dozens of them avoid prosecution because half of the country are f—–g morons,” another of the online sleuths said. “Our work continues, as should the DOJ’s.”