Today marks one year since Trump supporters mobbed the U.S. Capitol in a bid to overthrow Joe Biden’s presidential win.
On January 6th 2021 the world watched in horror as images emerged from Washington showing the mob - galvanised by former president Donald Trump’s claims of election fraud - storm the government building.
More than 700 have been arrested and charged with crimes related to the riot, with 171 entering guilty pleas so far. The number of those charged is expected to grow, however, as the FBI continues its investigation.
Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter
Here’s what happened to some of the more infamous faces from the riot:
‘QAnon Shaman’: Jacob Chansley
Images of Chansley, also known as Jake Angeli or the self-proclaimed QAnon Shaman, were widely circulated during and after the riot. Pictured bare-chested with a horned fur headdress, the 34-year-old became the (painted) face of the siege.
The Arizona man was sentenced to 41 months - almost three and a half years, in prison. Having already served 11 months at the time of sentencing, he could be released before the 2024 election. He is now reportedly working with the ex-lawyer for Kyle Rittenhouse to appeal his sentence.
‘The podium guy’: Adam Johnson
Florida man Adam Johnson, dubbed “the podium guy” for being pictured carrying House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lectern, pleaded guilty to one count of entering or remaining in any restricted building.
He could face up to six months in prison, but the final call will be made by a judge during a hearing scheduled for 25th February.
Johnson was arrested two days after the riot after being identified via social media.
‘Zip tie guy’: Eric Munchel
Dressed in a combat-style get-up, Munchel was pictured walking across the seats in the Senate visitors’ gallery clutching a handful of zip ties.
He was also pictured with his mother, Lisa Eisenhart, outside the government building. Munchel’s lawyers argued that he was only there to keep an eye on his mother.
Newly-released cell phone video shows the moment 'Zip-Tie Guy' Eric Munchel found those zip tie handcuffs during the Capitol riot. pic.twitter.com/kg2bSkV7rJ
— Alex Mallin (@alex_mallin) October 13, 2021
According to Tennessean, the duo face charges of obstructing an official proceeding, entering a restricted area and violent entry related to the failed insurrection. A trial is scheduled for March 29th.
I can’t stop thinking about the zip-tie guys. https://t.co/rhi55foDPW
— Slate (@Slate) January 8, 2021
"You are not going to take away our Trumpy bear!": Gina Bisignano
In videos taken during the riot, beauty salon owner Bisignano can be heard chanting: “They will not take away our Trumpy bear! We love you, President Trump!” Reuters reports that according to an FBI document, during the siege Bisignano also yelled: "This is 1776, and we the people will never give up."
She faces seven criminal charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding and civil disorder. She has pleaded guilty to six of the charges under a plea deal. In September her lawyer asked a Washington judge to ease her pre-trial release conditions, hoping to terminate her house arrest order and allow her to remove an ankle bracelet monitor, but the request was declined.
"THEY ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE OUR TRUMPY-BEAR! THEY ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE OUR TRUMPY BEAR. THEY WILL NOT TAKE AWAY OUR TRUMPY-BEAR, WE LOVE YOU PRESIDENT TRUMP." -- Gina Bisignano pic.twitter.com/en2FCC8D55
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) October 26, 2021
“Hey Nancy, Bigo was here b****”: Richard Barnett
Barnett, who goes by the nickname “Bigo”, was photographed in Pelosi’s office with a boot on her desk.
In a now-viral video, he said he left a note on the House Speaker’s desk reading: “Hey Nancy, Bigo was here b****”.
Here’s Mr. Barnett, who goes by “Bigo,” telling the story in his own words pic.twitter.com/oSyKiCDXgy
— Matthew Rosenberg (@AllMattNYT) January 6, 2021
He faces seven charges, including one relating to an accusation that he had a stun gun in the Capitol. Arkansas Online reports that he pleaded innocent to all charges. His next status hearing is scheduled for 1st February.
The man with the Confederate flag: Kevin Seefried
Seefried was pictured walking through the halls with a Confederate flag during the riot. He and his son Hunter were arrested a week later.
The Delaware pair were indicted by a grand jury in April. The older Seefried faces five counts, while his son faces eight.
Trial date is set for May 2022 in US Capitol case of Kevin Seefried of Delaware, who's accused of carrying the Confederate flag thru Capitol pic.twitter.com/FGhSfnt1ni
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) January 4, 2022
Seefried pleaded not guilty to all charges. A trial is set for May 2022.
Neo-Confederate Kevin Seefried, photographed carrying a racist and traitorous flag in the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection, has been indicted. https://t.co/vDC0LibuUC
— Keith Ellison (@keithellison) April 8, 2021
For more news on the anniversary of the riot, follow The Independent’s live blog.
