ToplineAccording to the Justice Department two men from Washington state, and New Jersey, have pleaded guilty to assaulting officers during the January 6 storming at the U.S. Capitol. This could lead to lengthy prison sentences.Trump-supporting rioters set up a barricade in front of police during their assault on the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6,... [+] 2021. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesThe Key FactsDevlyn Thompson (28-year-old Seattle resident) attacked D.C. Metropolitan Police officers and U.S. Capitol Police officers. He then used a tunnel to enter the Capitol to swing a metal baton at police officers trying to use pepper spray against rioters throwing projectiles and taking officer's riot shields. According to the DOJ, Scott Kevin Fairlamb (44-year-old) from Stockholm, New Jersey punched and shoved a Metropolitan Police Officer as he left the Capitol. According to the DOJ, Fairlamb was also accused of grabbing a police baton and posting a video on Instagram where he stated: "What Patriots do?" We f disarm them, and then we stormed the f Capitol. After pleading guilty for obstruction of an official proceeding and up to eight years imprisonment, Fairlamb faces a maximum of 20 years and a $250,000 penalty. Thompson pleaded guilty in the assault, resisting or impeding officer while using a deadly weapon. This sentence carries a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000.Big NumberThere have been more than 570. This is how many people were arrested over the past seven months after a mob of Trump supporters forced their entry into the U.S. Capitol. More than 170 of those arrested have been charged with assaulting and impeding law enforcement.Important BackgroundThe DOJ is continuing criminal investigations. Last week saw the first hearings in a wide congressional probe. Capitol officers testified that they were afraid for their lives as they engaged in hand to hand combat akin "something from a medieval war." A House select committee consisting of seven Democrats, two Republicans and all appointed by Nancy Pelosi (D.Calif.) is overseeing the congressional investigation. After Republican senators rejected the idea of an independent commission to investigate rioting, the select committee was selected.Surprising FactQuinnipiac University's Wednesday poll found that Republicans and Democrats are divided over how to view the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. 94% of Democratic respondents believed it was an "attack on democracy that should not be forgotten", while 75% of Republicans felt it was time to "move on" from Jan. 6.Continue readingThis is How I'm Going To Die: Officers recall harrowing Jan. 6 Hearing Experiences (Forbes).These are the Reasons Why GOP Senators Oppose The Jan.6 Commission (Forbes).
