Long shot? Capitol rioters hold out hope for a Trump pardon lmtonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lmtonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Print article WASHINGTON They launched their assault on the U.S. Capitol with impunity, livestreaming their crimes and posing for photos as they breached the building’s perimeter and threatened the democratic process. Now members of the pro-Trump mob are arguing they shouldn’t be held to account. Speaking through defense lawyers or in interviews, the alleged rioters argued they did nothing illegal. They couldn’t have been trespassing, they say, because they entered the Capitol at the “invitation” of President Trump, following his direct orders. Capitol police also held the doors open for them, they assert, basically ushering them into the building’s hallowed halls. Even so, knowing that time is running out on Trump’s presidency, they are also making a last-minute case for clemency to avert prosecution, appealing to the man who allegedly incited them to act.
the washington post reporting pence was rushed from the senate chamber one minute before this group reached the second floor, only led away by officer eugene goodman, who acted as a decoy. that scene playing out while pence, his wife and daughter were just 100 feet away. after he was rushed to safety, one of the first people to reach pence s desk, jacob chansley, the so-called qanon shaman. prosecutors arguing he should remain in custody after leaving a note on pence s desk that read, it s only a matter of time. justice is coming. prosecutors also citing images they say are of retired air force lieutenant colonel larry brock with those zip ties as evidence of plans to take hostages. brock and chansley both served in the military. and jacob fracker, one of the