A writer for a conservative media outlet has pleaded guilty to charges related to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The writer, who has covered the riot for Blaze News, entered his guilty plea on the day his bench trial was scheduled to begin.
The writer, 64, had requested a delay in his case until after the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has indicated a willingness to issue pardons to Capitol riot defendants. However, the judge denied the request, and the writer proceeded with his guilty plea.
The writer maintained his innocence, stating that he did not believe he had done anything wrong on the day of the riot. He expressed confidence in receiving a pardon from Trump and cited his decision to plead guilty as a means to avoid a trial.
Blaze News, the media outlet for which the writer worked, is part of a platform founded by conservative commentator Glenn Beck. The writer began contributing to the outlet after the events of January 6 and had covered the trial of individuals charged with seditious conspiracy in relation to the riot.
The writer faced misdemeanor charges, including trespassing and disorderly conduct, to which he pleaded guilty. According to an FBI affidavit, he was involved in the mob that breached the Capitol building and engaged with police officers inside.
Following the riot, the writer made statements to the media expressing support for the events that unfolded that day. He referenced entering then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office and made controversial remarks about potential actions he could have taken.
The judge overseeing the case expressed concern over the writer's rhetoric and emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law in the prosecution of Capitol riot cases. More than 1,500 individuals have been charged in connection with the riot, with over 1,000 convictions and varying sentences handed down.
The judge dismissed claims of selective prosecution based on political beliefs, stating that the cases have been determined by evidence and facts rather than unsupported opinions or conspiracy theories.
