FBI probes Capitol ‘sedition and conspiracy’ and warns HUNDREDS more will be charged as they hunt MAGA rioters
FEDERAL prosecutors are looking at bringing “significant” cases involving possible sedition and conspiracy charges in last week’s U.S. Capitol riot.
That’s according to acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin, who provided an update on criminal charges at a Justice Department news conference on Tuesday.
Sherwin said 70 people had already been charged — but he expected that would grow into the hundreds.
He says that some of the misdemeanor charges brought against the people who sieged the Capitol were intended as placeholder counts and that more serious charges including sedition are possible.
The Justice Department has created a specialized task force that will look at everything from travel to movement of the individuals, he added.
The FBI said that it had opened 160 cases in its investigation into the storming of the US Capitol by rioters — with those charged facing up to 20 years in jail.
Steven D’Antuono, the bureau’s assistant director in charge of the field office, told a press conference that they had received 100,000 videos and pictures as tips.
Earlier today, the Washington Post reported that the FBI had warned of a violent “war” at the US Capitol in an internal report issued a day before last week’s deadly siege.
But this was not acted on.
FBI RELEASES IMAGES PIPE BOMB SUSPECT
Meanwhile, photos of the suspect or suspects believed to be behind the pipe bombs have been released by the FBI.
The bombs are believed to have been placed around the same time rioters stormed the Government building.
A $50,000 reward has been offered for any information that leads to the location, arrest or conviction of the individuals responsible for placing the suspected bombs.
They were placed at the Republican and Democratic national committee offices in Washington DC.
It comes as President Donald Trump today took no responsibility for his part in fomenting a violent insurrection.
This was despite his comments encouraging supporters to march on the Capitol and praise for them while they were still carrying out the assault.
Trump said: “People thought that what I said was totally appropriate.”
He made the comments during his first appearance in public since the Capitol siege, which came as lawmakers were tallying Electoral College votes affirming President-elect Joe Bidens victory.
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Trump arrived in Texas to trumpet his campaign against illegal immigration in an attempt to burnish his legacy with eight days remaining in his term, as lawmakers in Congress appeared set to impeach him this week for the second time.
The rampage through the halls of Congress sent lawmakers of both parties and Trump’s own vice president into hiding, as crowds called for Mike Pence’s lynching for his role overseeing the vote count.
The scene also undermined the hallmark of the republic the peaceful transition of power. At least five people died, including one Capitol Police officer.
More to follow…
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