US says more than 300 people charged over deadly Capitol attack

The US Justice Department has charged more than 300 people over the deadly attack on Capitol Hill by former President Donald Trump supporter that led to the death of five people.

“The investigation into those responsible is moving at a speed and scale that’s unprecedented, and rightly so,” said acting Deputy Attorney General John Carlin. “Those responsible must be held to account, and they will be.”

Since the Capitol Hill attack, federal authorities have charged "more than 300" people according to Carlin and arrested at least 280 suspected violent extremists.

The Jan. 6 attack followed a political rally hosted by Trump.

On Friday, a senior FBI official, responding to questions about the threat posed by far-right groups, said the bureau is “watching very closely for any reaction from individuals that would show either an intent to commit an attack or somebody that has already committed one”.

The FBI has launched an investigation into far-right groups such as the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys.

So far, at least 18 associates of the Proud Boys and nine associates of the Oath Keepers have been in connection with an alleged plot to capture the Capitol.

The senior FBI official added that domestic anti-government extremists posed the biggest threat in 2020, and remain a top concern.

“2020 was a very big year for us. The violent reaction to a mixture of events that took place around the country is unlike anything we have seen in decades,” the official said, noting that three of the four fatal domestic-based attacks came from people who ascribe to an “anti-government or anti-authority violent extremist ideology”.

Far-right ringleader disavows group

A federal judge decided on Friday that the ringleader of a paramilitary group conspiring to seize control of the capitol must stay in jail before trial.

The ruling came during a federal court hearing where the Capitol rioter Jessica Watkins, 38, disavowed her membership in the Oath Keepers group.

In addition to being an army veteran and her involvement with the Oath Keepers, Watkins founded her own paramilitary group and runs a pirate-themed bar in Woodstock, Ohio. 

Despite the disavowal, Federal Judge Amit Mehta of the DC District Court said Watkins "presents a danger" and eagerly participated in "a historic event that was a real threat to the fabric of our democracy."

"She was not just a follower. She was higher up in the chain," Mehta said, adding, "She was a recruiter and did recruit others to participate in the events of January 6. ... She is someone planning, organizing larger groups of people."

Mehta warned, "There is a continued risk that once you are released that you will re-affiliate yourself with these groups," referring to far-right anti-government extremists.

Watkins is in prison over four federal charges, i.e., conspiracy, destruction of government property, obstruction of an official proceeding and entering a restricted building -- the Capitol.

Watkins is the most prominent defendant in a conspiracy case involving eight other Oath Keepers.

Prosecutors initially charged Watkins and two other Oath Keepers, Donovan Crowl, 50, and Thomas Edward Caldwell, 65, who allegedly planned to take over the Capitol. These three defendants are veterans; Watkins served in an infantry unit in the US Army for three years and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2002, according to the Pentagon.

At least 18 members of the far-right Proud Boys group have been charged, as well.

Military officers complicit in capitol insurrection

The Pentagon has launched a probe into extremist views from within the US military complex as the body finally comes to terms with reality and accepts that racism is rooted deep within the American system.

On January 6, Trump took to a stage near the White House and ordered his loyalists, who had gathered there from all across the country, to “fight” to regain their country.

Trump told the crowd that “everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol.” About 50 minutes later, many of those present there were on their way to take the Capitol.

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