A Missouri Man Who Participated in the US Capitol Riot Will Be Allowed to Attend President Trump’s Inauguration
A federal judge has ruled that a Missouri man, Eric Peterson, who pleaded guilty to entering the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, will be allowed to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next month. Judge Tanya Chutkan issued the ruling, allowing Peterson to travel to Washington, D.C. for the event and granting him permission to travel more broadly within the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Peterson, who is set to be sentenced on January 27, five days after the inauguration, was accused of entering the Capitol at approximately 3:02 p.m. on January 6, taking pictures in the Rotunda, and leaving the building by 3:11 p.m. His attorney, Michael Bullotta, argued that Peterson’s offense was minor, noting that he was not accused of assault or vandalism and spent only about 8 minutes in the Capitol without proper authorization.
Bullotta also noted that Peterson is a military veteran with no prior criminal history and that his request to travel to Washington, D.C. was more appropriate given the incoming Trump administration’s promises to pardon those involved in the riot on the day of President Trump’s inauguration.
While Trump has promised to pardon some of the rioters, it remains unclear who among the hundreds of charged, convicted, and awaiting trial individuals will receive clemency. Over 1,500 Capitol rioters have been charged in federal court, with almost 99% of those charged having been convicted or pleading guilty. Half of the guilty rioters, 645, have been sentenced to jail time, although many have completed serving their sentences.
