Facing damning evidence in the deadly Capitol siege last month - including social media posts flaunting their actions - rioters are arguing in court they were following then-President Donald Trump's instructions on Jan. 6.
Chrestman's attorneys argued in court papers that Trump gave the mob "Explicit permission and encouragement" to do what they did, providing those who obeyed him with "a viable defense against criminal liability."
Hundreds of Trump supporters were photographed and videotaped storming the Capitol and scores posted selfies inside the building on social media, so they can't exactly argue in court they weren't there.
ADVERTISEMENT.Shamansky said his client would never have been at the Capitol on Jan. 6 if Trump hadn't "Summoned him there." Trump, he added, engaged in a "Devious yet effective plot to brainwash" supporters into believing the election was stolen, putting them in the position where they "Felt the the need to defend their country at the request of the commander in chief."
While the legal bar is high for prosecuting Trump in the Capitol siege, the former president is already facing a lawsuit from Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson that accuses him of conspiring with extremist groups to prevent Congress from certifying the election results.
Trump spread baseless claims about the election for weeks and addressed thousands of supporters at a rally near the White House before the Capitol riot, telling them that they had gathered in Washington "To save our democracy." Later, Trump said, "I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard."
A lawyer for Jacob Chansley, the shirtless man who wore face paint and a hat with horns inside the Capitol, attached a highlighted transcript of the Trump's speech before the riot to a court filing seeking Chansley's release from custody.
https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-capitol-siege-us-news-75b5963841a2263fe8d79b1d18ef552b
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