# 7 Jan 2021 and beyond - the aftermath of the storming of the Capitol **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 8, 2021, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020 "2021-01-08T10:28:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 105
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2087 "2021-08-12T17:05:42Z")
I’m not sure what the bar to clear to prove a sedition charge is but I’m guessing its not a low one (nor should it be). The trespass, damage and theft charges for the majority of the mob are the low-hanging fruit, and when you’re dealing with 500 potential criminals you want to deal with the minor minions while you’re building the harder cases for the ringleaders. It’s possible we may still see a sedition charge or two happen but only after they’ve leveraged testimony from the mindless followers of the day. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2088 "2021-08-12T17:29:31Z")
Reporters are very protective of their unpublished work product as it may contain clues to sources or to their methods for getting information. If the sources are exposed they may be reluctant in the future. And leaks or other conduits of information could be plugged up. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2089 "2021-08-12T17:43:50Z")
IMHO the mob on Jan 6 was intent on insurrection and sedition. But if that’s hard to prove, then fine - throw the book at them for all the lesser charges. Biden, Garland and the DOJ are walking a very narrow political path, and I don’t blame them for caution. They want to make sure they get slam-dunk convictions, and they also want to make sure that it doesn’t look like they’re punishing their political opponents – something unprecedented in American history, and let’s keep it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2090 "2021-08-12T17:49:57Z")
This is an explanation of why these defendants are not being prosecuted to the “full extent of the law,” though; specifically, it is not clear what the full extent of the law as applied to sedition really is. So I think you’re all sort of agreeing that they aren’t bringing cases with scarier sounding words on the top-line charge because it isn’t clear they could make those charges stick. It’s just that this is a little different from saying there’s no other law they could charge under. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2091 "2021-08-12T19:36:27Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > Reporters are very protective of their unpublished work product as it may contain clues to sources or to their methods for getting information. > If the sources are exposed they may be reluctant in the future. And leaks or other conduits of information could be plugged up. I understand a journalist’s need to protect his sources, but does he have a different obligation (either ethically and legally) for events that he witnessed (or photographed, or videoed) personally? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2092 "2021-08-12T21:28:07Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > does he have a different obligation (either ethically and legally) for events that he witnessed (or photographed, or videoed) personally? The legal aspects of it are complex. I’ll point you toward this resource on [reporter’s privilege](https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1146/reporter-s-privilege). Unfortunately, any quotes I pulled from it would be misleading because of all the nuances and caveats (or maybe one of the resident lawyers could do a better job summarizing than I can). A journalist’s ethical obligation isn’t much simpler. They have an ethical obligation to their profession to maintain neutrality and confidentiality. They have an ethical obligation to society to prevent harm. Those can often conflict, especially when the definition of “harm” depends on your personal views. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2093 "2021-08-17T13:27:06Z")
A reporter would not be betraying sources or violating her professional integrity if she complied with a subpoena. If the Feds think her cellphone video is likely to helpful in their investigation, they can always go to a judge to seek that subpoena. And see: > **[Some US Capitol rioters stay defiant, even while pleading guilty | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/17/politics/capitol-rioters-defiant-guilty-pleas/index.html)** > > Boyd Camper was set to join the ranks of those pleading guilty in the January 6 insurrection when the federal judge overseeing the case abruptly postponed the plea hearing over questions about whether Camper really believed he did anything wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2094 "2021-08-19T13:11:01Z")
Gotcha! Hadn’t heard of Sedition Hunters before - God bless 'em: > **[US Capitol rioter sentencing delayed after online sleuths uncover new footage...](https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/18/politics/robert-reeder-capitol-riot-sentencing/index.html)** > > The sentencing for one of the January 6 US Capitol rioters was abruptly postponed Wednesday after new videos emerged of the man allegedly fighting with police, an unexpected twist in the case because prosecutors hadn't previously accused him of... ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2095 "2021-08-19T14:48:31Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Gotcha! Hadn’t heard of Sedition Hunters before - God bless 'em: Me neither. Are they streaming on Hulu? 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2096 "2021-08-19T15:11:57Z")
Here’s the Sedition Hunters website. It’s a much better layout than the FBI’s site, it feels like they’re actually trying to catch these people. I think it’s keeping the pressure on the FBI, I bet they’d be half-assing the identification process even more than they are now without the assistance these private groups. > **[Sedition Hunters](https://seditionhunters.org/)** > > Sedition Hunters is a global community of open source intelligence investigators (OSINT) working together to assist the U.S. FBI and Washington D.C. Capitol Police in finding people who allegedly committed crimes in the January 6 capitol riots. And it’s worth noting that this site, as well as other sites like Reddit’s Capitol Consequences forum are heavily moderated and have strict rules against doxxing or speculating on the identity of the suspects. If you recognize someone, you are asked to contact the FBI directly. And if you want to track the status of cases, here’s a tracking site that’s way easier to use than NPR or the government websites. > **[Suspects (by Status)](https://seditiontracker.com/suspects/by_status)** > > Complete listing of all suspects charged in the Jan. 6, 2021 sedition ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2097 "2021-08-19T18:25:32Z")
Very cool - thanks, **A\_H**! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2021, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2098 "2021-08-23T16:45:23Z")
Another update: > **[Capitol Police officer exonerated in the killing of Ashli Babbitt](https://www.aol.com/capitol-police-officer-exonerated-killing-201521544.html)** > > The U.S. Capitol Police officer who fatally shot pro-Trump protester Ashli Babbitt at the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol has been exonerated following an internal investigation, NBC News reported Friday. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2021, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2099 "2021-08-23T18:56:32Z")
I thought he had been exonerated months ago. Yeah, here’s a story back in April. > **[Officer Cleared In The Shooting Death Of Ashli Babbitt During Capitol Riot](https://www.npr.org/2021/04/14/987425312/officer-cleared-in-the-shooting-of-ashli-babbitt-during-capitol-riot)** > > The investigation determined the officer did not act with bad purpose or in disregard of the law. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2021, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2100 "2021-08-23T19:09:06Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I thought he had been exonerated months ago. > > Yeah, here’s a story back in April. That was the DoJ, this is the Metropolitan Police’s Internal Affairs Division. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2101 "2021-08-23T19:19:01Z")
Bravo, Sedition Hunters! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2102 "2021-08-25T15:10:09Z")
Very uneasy about this, despite the arguments being offered. > **[Why some US Capitol rioters are getting no jail time | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/25/politics/capitol-riot-cases-charges-explainer/index.html)** > > When it comes to holding the January 6 US Capitol rioters to account, the Justice Department has plenty of tools in its prosecutorial toolbox -- and plenty of critics ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2103 "2021-08-25T16:31:35Z")
> [@](#): > > “This could be a circumstance that arises every four years,” Howell added. Oh, you optimist… ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2104 "2021-08-25T16:35:21Z")
If it happens every four years, the bright side of that would be that Republicans lost the election every four years! ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2105 "2021-08-25T21:04:58Z")
And another thing… The police officer who shot insurrectionist Ashli Babbitt is scheduled to do a sit down with Lester Holt: “For months, former President Donald Trump and other leading MAGA figures have called for the outing of the police officer who fatally shot pro-Trump rioter Ashli Babbitt during the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6. This week, they are finally getting their wish—but the officer appears to be doing so on his own terms. On Wednesday, NBC announced that NBC News anchor Lester Holt will “sit down in an exclusive interview with the U.S. Capitol Police officer responsible for shooting and killing protestor Ashli Babbitt while defending the U.S. House Chamber.” The NBC release stated that the interview is currently set to air at 6:30 p.m. ET Thursday on _NBC Nightly News_ , and does not identify the officer.” > **[Capitol Police Lt Who Killed Jan. 6 Rioter Is Breaking His Silence](https://www.thedailybeast.com/capitol-police-officer-who-shot-and-killed-jan-6-rioter-to-speak-publicly?ref=home)** > > “He is essentially sacrificing himself at the altar of our democracy today in pursuit of the truth,” said D.C. police officer Mike Fanone, of the still-unnamed officer. > **[NBC NEWS EXCLUSIVE: LESTER HOLT TO INTERVIEW U.S. CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER...](https://press.nbcnews.com/2021/08/25/nbc-news-exclusive-lester-holt-to-interview-u-s-capitol-police-officer-responsible-for-shooting-killing-ashli-babbitt-during-jan-6-attack/)** > > Officer to Reveal Identity Publicly in First Interview Since the Capitol Attack Exclusive Sit-Down Airs Thursday on ‘NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt’ at 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT August 25, 2021 … ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/2106 "2021-08-25T21:08:48Z")
Why oh why is he doing this? What good could possibly come from it? This officer is putting himself in grave danger for no benefit at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020.md?page=104) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020.md?page=106)