The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) made moves on September 19 to drop an obstruction charge it had leveled against Taylor Taranto, who was one of 355 people the DOJ charged with obstruction in connection with their attendance at the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
The DOJ is dropping the charge after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 28 that the federal government was inappropriately bringing obstruction of government charges against rioters who did not actually stop the administration of government in the way the anti-obstruction statute outlines. The 6-3 decision limited the government’s ability to use the obstruction charge in connection with rioters, and the DOJ looks to be backing down months later.
U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves filed the motion to dismiss the count against Taranto “in the interest of justice.”
Thousands of people supporting candidate Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building that day intent on convincing Congress not to certify the election for Joe Biden. Although many simply walked into the building and behaved respectfully, hundreds smashed windows and furniture during a riot.
Democrats have tried to pin the incident on Trump, claiming that he told his supporters to attack Congress. In actual fact, Trump, who did not believe the results of the 2020 election, told his supporters to make their voices heard “peacefully and patriotically.” Despite false claims by Vice President and candidate Kamala Harris, no police officers were killed by rioters that day. However, Capitol Police officer Michael Byrd shot and killed protester Ashley Babbitt.
Taylor Taranto faces charges for entering the Capital on January 6, and is accused of participating in a “scuffle” with police who were trying to escort him out. Cops eventually forced him out of the building but court documents say Taranto remained on the grounds.
Video from that day shows Taranto saying that he and others had gotten inside the Capitol. “We just stormed it,” he said. Court records say Taranto distributed the video with captions taunting police and hoping that someone would share the recording with “the feds” so “we can get this party rolling!”
After the obstruction charge is dropped, Taranto will still face misdemeanor charges, including entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct. But those are not his only legal woes. He’s facing federal charges for carrying illegal weapons near the Washington, D.C. home of former President Barack Obama.
