Hundreds of charges expected, charges of “sedition” considered

“The Capitol is a crime scene. On Tuesday, officials from the FBI and the US Department of Justice provided an update on the sprawling investigation launched after the attack on Congress carried out by thousands of Donald Trump supporters on January 6. At this point, more than 70 people have been indicted, and “hundreds” are expected to follow, with proposed “sedition” charges, which carry 20 years’ imprisonment.

Washington Federal Prosecutor Michael Sherwin explained that if most of the charges so far were for “trespassing” or “theft of public property,” it was to go quickly. According to him, other much more serious charges could follow, in particular for “murder” and “sedition in an organized gang”, while five people died during the violence, including a police officer beaten with fire extinguisher.

Man suspected of planting two homemade bombs still wanted

The FBI is still looking for the man suspected of having deposited two “pipe bombs” in front of the seats of the Democratic and Republican parties. According to the official, they were “real devices” comprising an explosive substance and a detonator. The investigation must determine whether it was a diversion to occupy the Capitol police at the time of the assault or a “more harmful” project.

A cell made up of prosecutors experienced in national security and corruption cases has been formed to prepare such prosecutions, which carry sentences of up to 20 years in prison, he said. The federal police immediately mobilized teams to identify the participants in this assault thanks to the many photos and videos posted on social networks.

70 people have already been indicted, including some figures of the movement such as Jake Angeli, known for his buffalo headdress, or Richard Barnett, who set foot on the office of Democratic leader in Congress Nancy Pelosi.

Warning signs

According to Washington Post, an internal FBI report sounded the alarm on January 5 on possible risks of violent action. One Internet user would have written in a private forum: “Be ready for battle. Congress must hear the glass breaking. Be violent. Prepare for a war ”. On Tuesday, the FBI put it into perspective, explaining that it was difficult to tell the difference between provocation and serious threats.

“Be ready to fight. Congress needs to hear glass breaking. Get violent. Go there ready for war. We get our President or we die.” Online conversation intercepted by the FBI before the attack on the Capitol. Even more incomprehensible safety device https://t.co/qtiW53c44F

– Philippe Berry (@ptiberry) January 12, 2021

Now all eyes are on Joe Biden’s nomination, which will take place on January 20. A man has been arrested in Chicago for threats against the president-elect. He left this message in particular on the answering machine of an elected official in New Jersey: “We are going to surround the White House and we will kill all the Democrats setting foot on the lawn.” “

After banning Donald Trump, Twitter explained that it had detected many discussions of possible violent actions to come. In this tense climate, the Joint Chiefs sent a memo to all American servicemen on Tuesday denouncing “a direct attack on Capitol Hill” and promising to defend the Constitution and Joe’s nomination. Biden. If demonstrating peacefully is authorized, recalls the memo, this is not the case with “violence, insurrection and sedition”.