President-elect Donald Trump called the mother of a Jan. 6 rioter killed during the attack on the U.S. Capitol, offering words of support to defendants facing charges for their involvement in the riot.
The mother of a Jan. 6 rioter killed during the attack on the U.S. Capitol said she received a call from President-elect Donald Trump this week in which he sent a message to Jan. 6 defendants, saying he loved them and to 'keep their chins up.' Micki Witthoeft, Ashli Babbit ’s mother, said at a nightly vigil outside of the D.C. jail in support of Jan. 6 defendants on Wednesday that Trump had called her when she was in the back of an Uber with two other supporters of Jan.
6 defendants, coming back from laying down flowers in honor of her daughter. “Tell them I love them, to keep their chins up,” Trump said when asked if he had a message for Jan. 6 defendants, according to Witthoeft. 'I know that he is still thinking about these guys, and I have a feeling it is going to be a happy day for us,' when Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20, Witthoeft said. The Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment. But Trump has called Witthoeft and into the vigil before, given financial support to Jan. 6 defendants and promised to pardon an untold number of them upon taking office. 'We have a lot to look forward to on Jan. 20, and God Bless America,' Witthoeft said. 'Trump town, baby!' Trump has vowed to pardon a number of the more than 1,270 defendants who have been convicted on Jan. 6 charges ranging from unlawful parading to seditious conspiracy. There are more than 700 defendants who have either already completed their sentences or were never given any jail or prison time to begin with, which would give Trump an opportunity to pardon potentially hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants without having much of a practical impact, beyond the message that such an action would send. This week, an attorney for the Jan. 6 defendant serving the longest sentence — former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio, who is serving 22 years after being convicted of seditious conspiracy — asked Trump for a full pardon. While more than 1,580 defendants have already been arrested, that's only roughly half of the total number of defendants who could have been charged for either entering the Capitol or assaulting law enforcement officers outside the building. In addition to those already charged, more than 200 people suspected of assaulting law enforcement officers have been identified, according to online “sedition hunters” who have aided the FBI in hundreds of cases against Jan. 6 rioters. While the statute of limitations on crimes committed on Jan. 6, 2021, doesn't expire until early 2026, it's unclear if the Trump administration will allow investigations into individuals accused of assaulting law enforcement officers that day to continue
Donald Trump Jan 6 Capitol Riot Pardon Ashli Babbit
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jan. 6 Rioter Asks Court for Permission to Attend Trump's InaugurationRussell Taylor was sentenced to six months of house arrest for his part in the 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Read more »
Convicted Jan. 6 rioter says retired congressman invited him to Trump inaugurationThe man 'called for violence' to overturn the election, according to documents.
Read more »
Convicted Jan. 6 rioter invited to Trump’s inauguration by Utah congressional delegates, per letterThree members of Utah’s congressional delegation invited a California man convicted in the Jan. 6 riot back to the U.S. Capitol to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration, according to a letter by Chris Stewart asking a judge to give the man permission to travel.
Read more »
Jan 6th Capitol Rioter Can Attend Trump's Inauguration, Judge RulesA Missouri man who pleaded guilty to entering the US Capitol during the January 6, 2021 riot will be allowed to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Judge Tanya Chutkan, who oversaw the federal election subversion case against Trump, granted the request, stating that the man's offense was minor and that he posed no threat. The judge also authorized him to travel more broadly within the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Read more »
Judge approves Jan. 6 rioter's request to go to DC for Trump inaugurationDC federal Judge Tanya Chutkan on Thursday approved Eric Peterson’s request to travel to the country’s Capitol again to be on hand for inauguration day Jan. 20 — despite the fact …
Read more »
Biden Calls Trump a 'Genuine Threat to Democracy' Ahead of Jan. 6 AnniversaryPresident Biden labeled former President Trump's actions a 'genuine threat to democracy' as the first anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot approaches. Biden also announced his plan to visit New Orleans to offer condolences to families affected by the New Year's Day attack.
Read more »