Capitol riots: Justice Department lawyer warns Republicans against 'lionizing' insurrectionists

Not long after the Capitol insurrection last January 6, Republican lawmakers, especially those who are known to be loyal to twice-impeached former President Donald Trump, have sought to paint the insurrectionists as political prisoners or patriots. A Justice Department lawyer recently warned the GOP lawmakers against such actions in a recent court filing.

The Daily Beast reports that assistant US attorney Michael Romano delivered a rebuke towards GOP lawmakers for trying to glorify the insurrectionists that stormed the Capitol. In a court filing Monday, Romano wrote that the possibility of more violence and instability stems from a part of the population that appears to be determined to glorify the insurrectionists, describing them as patriots or martyrs, most notably Ashlii Babbitt, who was among the five people killed from the violence.

Some GOP lawmakers have described the insurrectionists that were arrested and detained as political prisoners. Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde also referred to the insurrection as “a normal tourist visit” despite video footage surfacing showing the congressman barricading the door of the chambers during the siege. Rep. Paul Gosar, who is often accused of advocating for white supremacy, also sought to turn Babbitt into a martyr.

Romano’s statement was included in a 28-page document serving as an endorsement of the pretrial detention of one insurrectionist who is charged with assaulting Capitol Police as well as destruction of property.

Aside from five people getting killed, dozens of police officers who responded to the riots have been injured by the mob of Trump supporters looking to derail Congress’s certification of Joe Biden’s election victory.

NBC4 reporter Scott MacFarlane reports that this week, the Justice Department recommended that insurrectionist Boyd Camper, who was charged with four federal crimes related to the Capitol riots, serve two months in prison. Camper, a military veteran with a criminal history, was charged back in March.

“Camper confirmed his presence inside the Capitol Building during a video interview with CBS News that was subsequently posted online,” according to court papers.

Camper also brought his 10-year-old son with him to the Capitol on January 6. However, he left his son with a friend when he participated in the insurrection.