One lawyer called the violent protesters “anarchists, not patriots.”
Outgoing U.S. attorneys from across the country rejected the U.S. Capitol storm contest in Washington, DC, Wednesday, and some have vowed to sue someone from their state who is found to be violating federal laws.
At least twelve have so far appeared in public to say they would charge those involved if they came from their jurisdictions.
Former U.S. Attorney Zachary Terwilliger, a President Donald Trump appointed to soon step down from his position as head of the Virginia District Eastern Office, called what happened at the Capitol a “tragedy.”
“I traveled the district and said goodbye to Team EDVA, so my delay, as I just told them,” he tweeted. “We contacted our colleagues at DOJ and DC USAO to provide any support regarding search and arrest warrants. It is despicable, a travesty and the darkest day since 9/11.”
David DeVillers, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, tweeted bluntly that federal crimes were committed at the Capitol on Wednesday.
‘Do not make a mistake … Federal crimes were committed today at the capital building of our country. “Anyone who has traveled from the Southern District of Ohio for the purpose of committing such crimes will be prosecuted in the Southern District of Ohio,” he said.
The FBI said in a statement that they were assisting their law enforcement partners, but so far there has been no statement from Christopher Wray, director of the FBI.
In June, Wray commented on the civil unrest in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
“In recent days, the violence, the threat to life and the destruction of property that we have seen in some parts of the country have jeopardized the rights and security of all citizens, including peaceful protesters. It must stop. We see people doing this. ‘exploits situation to pursue violent, extremist agendas – anarchists like Antifa and other agitators,’ he said at the time.
“These individuals have tried to sow discord and revolt, rather than participate in the just pursuit of equality and justice. And by driving us apart, they are undermining the urgent work and constructive involvement of all who are trying to bring us together. bring – our community and religious leaders, our elected officials, law enforcement and citizens Many have suffered from the violence perpetrated by these radicals and extremists, including members of our own law enforcement family – officers killed or seriously injured while just working did their duty to the public by trying to protect everyone, ”Wray added.
Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen, hours after William Barr, the recently deceased Attorney General, had already issued his own statement on Wednesday condemning the violence at the Capitol, described what he described as an “unbearable attack on a fundamental institution of our democracy. “
Earlier, when asked about the events Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in DC – which will usually take jurisdiction to prosecute those who violated federal laws throughout the day and who aggressively prosecuted protesters who spent the summer at the unrest was involved – a spokesman declined to comment on ABC News.
Acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli said what he saw at the Capitol was a ‘sad day for America’ and that he condemned the actions of those involved.
Erin Nealy Cox, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, who is a co-chair of the Task Force of Justice Department on Violent Anti-Government Extremists, called those who committed the Capitol attack “anarchists, not patriots.” named.