The committee investigating the events in the U.S. capital on January 6, 2021, spent two years investigating the events before submitting its report as Congress ended up its work in 2022. The committee’s recommendation to file criminal charges against former President Donald Trump carries no legal weight, and no charges have been filed. During the two years the law has been in effect, the most of the charges incurred by individuals have been for disobeying committee subpoenas, and a few persons who participated in activities at the capitol have pled guilty to charges related to their acts on that day.
A former marine was present in the Capitol on that day and pled guilty to certain counts. John D. Andries, 37, of Piney Point, Maryland, pled guilty to a felony count of obstruction of an official process on August 23 of last year.
CNN found data indicating that Andries served in the Marine Corps from 2004 to 2009 and was assigned to Marine Helicopter Squadron One, the unit responsible for carrying the president, Raw Story reported in March of 2021. On Marine One, he was designated as a helicopter crew chief, but not as a pilot.
The Department of Justice released a statement on Andries’ conduct:
“Andries illegally entered the Capitol Building through a broken window near the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:15 p.m., just two minutes after rioters’ initial breach at that location,” the DOJ reported. “Once inside, he proceeded to the Crypt and was among rioters who attempted to push past U.S. Capitol Police officers. Eventually he and others were able to surge forward past the officers and further into the building.”
According to the DOJ, Andries then proceeded to the House of Representatives Chamber, where he videotaped himself stating, “Think they’re scared yet” and “I think the police have gotten the message, we ain’t backing down.”
Raw Story continues:
And after exiting the Capitol, Andries filmed himself again, stating ““I think we’re on the right side of history.”
The Maryland man, a member of President George W. Bush’s helicopter crew, was sentenced to one year and one day in jail for his participation in the January 6 events at the U.S. Capitol. Andries received a shorter term than the 15 to 21 months indicated in his plea deal. Federal judges are not required to adhere to the rules. The Department of Justice announced that in addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras ordered $2,000 in restitution and three years of supervised release.
Andries’s self-filming, guilty plea, and history indicate that he is comfortable with his acts and prepared to accept the repercussions. His sentencing shows that, although his activities were unlawful, they were not harsh.
In contrast to the judge who convicted Andries, the Jan. 6 committee tried to designate the events at the Capitol that day as a “insurrection” and to place the blame for all happenings that day at the feet of then-president Trump. They issued a study that has MAGA supporters rolling their eyes after 18 months of inquiry.
According to NPR, the over 800-page dossier urges the Justice Department seek criminal charges against former President Trump for “his role in the attack.” In addition, they argue that Congress should prohibit Trump and anybody participating in the events of January 6 from ever holding federal office again.
The committee’s report is only their opinion after two years of “investigation” and carries no legal weight. No charges have been brought against former President Trump, and the Department of Justice has made no indication that it intends to do so.
One of the document’s proposals is that “Congress should make stronger criminal penalties for those who obstruct a peaceful transfer of power”. In light of the massive and destructive riots that followed the 2020 presidential election, in which homes and businesses were looted and burned and people were killed, it seems odd that the governing body that made this recommendation only did so in relation to a Capitol protest that resulted in few arrests and fatalities and not the numerous true insurrections that harmed America and its citizens.
Ashlei Babbitt was the only person to pass away on January 6 in the Capitol. Former President Trump reflected on Babbitt’s passing when her mother was detained for demonstrating on the anniversary of her passing.
“So an out-of- control wild man kills beautiful Ashli Babbitt, a true Patriot, who was the only one killed on January 6th. Her mother goes to protest her death and memory, and they arrest her mother. Something has to be done about these communists and Marxists that are taking over and destroying our Country. Pray for Ashli, and her wonderful, brave mother!”
In November, Trump declared his intention to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2024. A large number of governors and members of Congress have been discussed as potential running mates.