Print article WASHINGTON They launched their assault on the U.S. Capitol with impunity, livestreaming their crimes and posing for photos as they breached the building’s perimeter and threatened the democratic process. Now members of the pro-Trump mob are arguing they shouldn’t be held to account. Speaking through defense lawyers or in interviews, the alleged rioters argued they did nothing illegal. They couldn’t have been trespassing, they say, because they entered the Capitol at the “invitation” of President Trump, following his direct orders. Capitol police also held the doors open for them, they assert, basically ushering them into the building’s hallowed halls. Even so, knowing that time is running out on Trump’s presidency, they are also making a last-minute case for clemency to avert prosecution, appealing to the man who allegedly incited them to act.
| Updated: 7:23 p.m.
Brett Tolman, the former U.S. attorney for Utah who’s making headlines for making big bucks lobbying the White House for pardons for his clients, has made news before as an advocate for women who are victims of violent crimes and a crusader reforming the legal system.
More recently, however, Tolman has been advising the Trump administration on pardons and commutations. And, according to The New York Times, he “has been collecting tens of thousands of dollars, and possibly more” lobbying for “clemency for the son of a former Arkansas senator; the founder of the notorious online drug marketplace Silk Road; and a New York City socialite who pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme.”
Kevin Rector and Chris Megerian
Los Angeles Times / TNS
Washington They launched their assault on the U.S. Capitol with impunity, livestreaming their crimes and posing for photos as they breached the building s perimeter and threatened the democratic process. Now members of the pro-Trump mob are arguing they shouldn t be held to account.
Speaking through defense lawyers or in interviews, the alleged rioters argued they did nothing illegal. They couldn t have been trespassing, they say, because they entered the Capitol at the invitation of President Trump, following his direct orders. Capitol police also held the doors open for them, they assert, basically ushering them into the building s hallowed halls. Even so, knowing that time is running out on Trump s presidency, they are also making a last-minute case for clemency to avert prosecution, appealing to the man who allegedly incited them to act.
Adam Newbold, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, told ABC News that he was seeking "clemency" after posting a Facebook video boasting about "breaching the Capitol," which brought FBI agents to his door for an interview.