The Department of Justice (DOJ) is ratcheting up the pressure on the insurrectionists who attacked the U.S. Capitol in January, leaving five people dead, with reports suggesting that federal prosecutors are planning to charge as many as 500 more people for their connection to the riots.
And now we’re learning that the Justice Department may use a legal theory which would allow them to take down right-wing extremist groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
Former FBI Assistant Director Frank Figliuzzi was a guest on MSNBC recently and was asked by host Alex Witt about the ongoing investigation:
“The Justice Department is now saying it expects to charge at least 500 people with taking part in those riots on Capitol Hill. So far over 400 have been charged in what the DOJ is calling one of the largest investigations in U.S. history.
“DOJ lawyers is calling this one of the largest — not just because of the number of people charged, but the sheer volume of evidence. It includes, last count, something like 20,000 hours of video from surveillance and police body cameras. I mean, can you put this in perspective and your reaction to all of it?”
Figliuzzi responded:
“Yeah, Alex, certainly, in my 25-year career including, by the way, 9/11 and the aftermath and inquiry of that — this makes that pale in comparison in terms of the span and scope of this investigation and the volume of evidence related to it.”
And that’s where the legal theory about charging groups with conspiracy and other crimes that would shatter them into a million pieces comes into play, Figliuzzi explained:
“And I am hearing from people I talked to involved in the investigation that yes, indeed, they will hit the 500 number in arrests and maybe surpass that, but that far more importantly, Alex, the magnitude of the charges will move from things like trespass and assault all of the way up to conspiracy and we’re seeing more of that and even possibly sedition and even possibly an enterprise theory of approach which is under consideration to take down and dismantle groups like Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.”
Dismantle them completely. Destroy them and everything they stand for. They’re right-wing terrorists and belong in prison.