The Justice Department is opposing the requests of January 6th defendants to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next month. So far, three defendants have sought permission to attend the ceremony, including Cindy Young, who was convicted of four misdemeanors related to the Capitol protest.
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In a three-page letter, prosecutors wrote a federal magistrate arguing that she remains a danger to both the D.C. community and the police officers tasked with protecting the Capitol. The letter cited that Young remained in the building until the fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt by a Capitol Police officer and argued that her presence at the inauguration would re-victimize officers that Young has publicly mocked.
Prosecutors wrote:
Outside the House Main Doors, Young interrupted the Electoral College certification by chanting and overrunning the police line guarding the MainDoors. The actions of Young and her fellow rioters forced the evacuation of the House of Representatives. That was not enough for Young. Young encountered the evacuating staff and members at the Speaker’s Lobby which was defended by a barricade of furniture and only a few officers. Fellow rioters passed up chairs, towards the officers, and smashed out the Lobby windows, resulting in the shooting death of a rioter who climbed through the window. Only then did Young leave.
The risk Young presents to those in D.C. did not end with her exit from the Building. As outlined in the government’s sentencing memorandum, over the pendency of her trial and sentencing, Young has continuously endorsed calls for retribution against those involved in January 6 prosecutions — specifically jurors, judges, and law enforcement — all whom help make up the “D.C. community.”
Beyond seeking retribution, Young has also mocked officer victims. Many of these officers will, once again, be tasked in protecting the Capitol and Constitution on January 20, 2025. As such, her presence at an event staffed by law enforcement would not only present a danger but would cause further victimization for the officers who Young has publicly mocked.
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As part of her sentence, handed down less than a month ago, Young was barred from visiting Washington, D.C., without permission from a probation officer. While Young argues that she poses no threat to D.C., noting that there were no incidents when she visited the city for court-related matters, prosecutors counter that this is irrelevant now that her trial has ended.
This position from the DOJ comes amid growing political implications. President-elect Trump has pledged to pardon many January 6 defendants, especially misdemeanor defendants like Young, who were not involved in violent acts.
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In addition to Young, Russell Taylor, another January 6 defendant, has sought permission from U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth to attend the inauguration. Taylor has been invited by members of Utah’s congressional delegation, and Lamberth has yet to rule on the request.
Eric Peterson, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanors but has not yet been sentenced, is also seeking permission. Peterson’s attorney, Michael Bullotta, argues that Peterson is a military veteran with no prior criminal history and poses no risk to the district.
Bullotta wrote:
There is no reason to believe that Mr. Peterson will be violent or present any danger to the residents of the District if the Court grants his request to attend the inaugural event.
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As the upcoming inauguration becomes a key point of contention between federal prosecutors and defendants, for some, it may also be the final foray in the legal battle over the January 6th events. With pardons on the horizon, this moment could mark the last stand in the culmination of thousands of legal proceedings that have defined the aftermath of January 6th.
