Capitol insurrection: Defendant identified in the riots pleads for leniency

Months since the Capitol riots last January 6, hundreds of the insurrectionists and alleged insurrectionists have already been identified and arrested. One of the defendants in the ongoing cases surrounding the insurrection recently pleaded for leniency.

Last week, Law & Crime reported that one of the defendants in the January 6 insurrection, Maryland-based Robert Reeder, is trying to plead for leniency after pleading guilty to unlawful parading, picketing, or demonstrating in the Capitol building. Reeder told a federal judge that he should receive a lighter punishment as he is a registered Democrat and not a supporter of the disgraced former President Donald Trump. Reeder made the claims the same time prosecutors pointed out Reeder in a video seemingly chanting “Fight for Trump” and wearing the MAGA hat during the insurrection.

“Mr. Reeder is not politically active, is not and has never been a member of any right-wing or anti-government or extremist group and has unfortunately been publicly grouped with many others whose views he abhors. Mr. Reeder is a registered Democrat and was not a Trump supporter, although he did like the patriotic spirit that he believed that President Trump was trying to instill in Americans,” wrote Reeder’s defense attorney Robert C. Bonsib in a memo.

Reeder was identified for his involvement when the Office of State’s Attorney for Harford County in Bel Air, Maryland, tipped the FBI to a possible facial recognition of one of the rioters present at the Capitol.

Despite the failed attempt to derail Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s victory, warnings of a repeat of what happened on January 6 have been made since. But as the country tackles the Delta Variant of the coronavirus, many officials, including the Department of Homeland Security, have warned that there may be a possible rise in domestic terrorism.

Last week, the DHS released a bulletin that listed down the types of threats that may emerge in the country as cases continue to rise, according to Slate. The bulletin noted that the challenges faced during the pandemic may see increased societal strains and tensions that would drive domestic extremist figures to commit more violence this year. The bulletin goes on to note that domestic extremists are using online platforms more and more to spread extremist narratives while promoting violence.