Jan. 6 rioter says retired congressman invited him to Trump's inauguration

A Jan. 6 rioter filed a letter showing that a retired Republican congressman invited him to attend President-elect Trump's inauguration in Washington, D.C, next month.

Russell Taylor, a California native, pleaded guilty to an obstruction count of official government proceedings in 2023. After entering a guilty plea, he testified against a member of an anti-government militia who ended up being sentenced to prison.

On Wednesday, his attorney, Dyke Huish, filed a motion to U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, asking the former President Reagan-appointed justice to allow his client to attend Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025.

Featured in the Wednesday filing was a letter from former Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah), which said the retired lawmaker was inviting Taylor, his wife and his three kids to the presidential inauguration.

“Russ is a successful entrepreneur and business owner with his wife. He is caring father and reveres his family, his faith, and his love of our Country as his highest priority in life. He is admired by many, and especially those in his community. Russ’ passion for what is right and good is reflected in his intentions to lift others,” Stewart wrote in the letter.

Stewart said in it that “three other current members of the Utah congressional delegation join

with me in extending this invitation.” Stewart did not specify which members of the Utah delegation joined in on the invitation.

“I am honored to extend this invitation for him to attend the Inauguration as my guest,” Stewart wrote without referencing Taylor’s alleged conduct on Jan. 6, 2021.

Prosecutors said Taylor had an "exposed knife on top of a bulletproof chest plate and carrying bear spray, a hatchet, and other weapons in his backpack, led a mob that overran a police line on the inaugural stage and stormed the Capitol."

Lamberth sentenced Taylor to a six-month home confinement sentence, which he has completed. Taylor is now on probation.

Since 2021, over 1,500 people have been charged with crimes regarding the breach of the U.S. Capitol, according to the District of Columbia’s U.S. attorney's office.

Topics

Jan. 6 defendant invited to Trump's inauguration by former GOP lawmaker

A former member and three current members of Congress invited a Jan. 6 defendant to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, according to a letter filed by the defendant's lawyer.
NBC News - 4h
'A man of integrity': Retired congressman invites Jan. 6 rioter to inauguration

A man who pleaded guilty to a felony for participation in the Capitol riot filed a letter showing he was invited by a retired congressman to attend the inauguration.
ABC News - 7h
Behind Trump's promises on birthright citizenship, pardons for Jan. 6 rioters

President-elect Donald Trump sat down for his first interview since being elected for a second term in the White House. Trump mentioned his plans on birthright citizenship and potential pardons for ...
CBS News - 2d
Trump returns from France, says he will pardon Jan. 6 rioters

President-elect Donald Trump is saying he will review the cases of January 6, 2021, Capitol rioters for potential pardons. This comes after Trump visited France for the reopening of Notre Dame ...
CBS News - 2d
Trump details immigration plans, says he'll pardon Jan. 6 rioters

President-elect Donald Trump spelled out some of his initial plans for his incoming administration in his first post-election interview over the weekend. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole ...
CBS News - 2d
Trump will ‘most likely’ pardon Capitol rioters on Day 1, says Jan. 6 committee should be jailed

President-elect Donald Trump said he is looking to pardon his supporters involved in the attack on the U.S.
NBC News - 3d
Trump says he will act 'very quickly' to pardon Jan. 6 rioters upon taking office

President-elect Trump, in a new interview, said he intends to act on his first day to pardon individuals involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the Capitol, including those who have pleaded ...
The Hill - 3d
Trump says he’ll pardon Jan. 6 rioters on his first day in office

During an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, President-elect Donald Trump says he plans to issue pardons for Jan. 6 defendants on his first day in the White House.
NBC News - 3d