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It was a motley crowd that entered the magnificent halls of the Capitol on Wednesday. Hundreds of people forced their way into the building and addressed the two houses of Congress. Windows and furniture were smashed or smashed in other ways, and several items were stolen, including a lectern and Democratic President Nancy Pelosi’s computer.
The images of people wearing everything from red Make America Great Again caps and military uniforms to animal skins and flags of the southern states have raised many eyebrows and made it easier for police to arrest the culprits.
At least 15 are investigated
Those who participated now run the risk of being convicted, among other things, of robbery, violence against an official, vandalism and violent disturbances.
In addition to this, many of those who participated may be convicted of violating infection control laws with reference to the ongoing pandemic.
Calls have been issued by both the FBI and the District of Columbia (Washington DC) police to help police identify people who appear to be participating in the riots on social media.
At least 15 identified individuals are under federal investigation for the attack on Congress, according to the US Department of Justice. These include a man who is suspected of bringing homemade bombs and another man who brought a gun with him.
Conspiracy theory
Among those already identified are various profiles within the Qanon conspiratorial movement who, among other things, claim that the world is ruled by a secret society of Satanist pedophiles.
One of these people is Jake Angeli, the man with the horn-covered fur hat and his face painted in the colors of the American flag, who was seen standing on the podium of one of the cameras. Jake Angeli is a strong supporter of conspiracy theory and in previous interviews has called himself a “digital soldier” and “a shaman and a guide for Trump supporters.”
White power group
Along with Angeli with horns, in several of the images is a man in a black parka.
He has been identified as Matthew Heimbach, a 29-year-old man who is described as a prominent figure for the youth of the American far right and was one of the co-organizers of the far-right demonstrations in Charlottesville 2017 that cost a woman her life. .
Another movement that was represented among those who participated in the riot was the violent hate group Proud Boys. Among others was Nick Ochs, the founder behind the group’s Hawaii branch. Ochs previously urged his followers to “assassinate the media,” a message that participants carved on wooden doors inside the Capitol during the riot.
“I am a patriot”
Besides the buffalo-like Jake Angeli, perhaps one of the most famous images inside the Capitol is that of Richard Barnett, who is comfortably reclined with his feet on President Nancy Pelosi’s desk.
– My desk. I am a taxpayer. I’m a patriot. It’s not your desk, it’s us who lend you the table, says Barnett himself in an interview with KFSM 5News.
He adds that he wrote “bitch” on a piece of paper before stealing some stationery and moving on.
Barnett, who has now been arrested, is known in his home state of Arkansas for his commitment to everyone’s right to bear arms. He has also been active in groups that oppose Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election.
You may lose your job
Several of the people who participated in the intrusion or violence have lost their jobs since their identification. These include salespeople, teachers, and lawyers.
A slightly more prominent person risking his job and being investigated for a crime is Republican politician Derrick Evans, who was elected to the state congress in West Virginia in November. In videos, he is seen happily yelling to enter the Capitol, something he claimed to have done to document the incident as a freelance journalist.
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