The Department of Justice is recommending a 20-year sentence for a Pennsylvania man for his role during the Jan. 6 “Capitol riot” in 2021.
According to Fox News, Ryan Samsel was found guilty in February 2024 on several charges related to the Capitol riot, including assault of federal officers, acts of violence on Capitol grounds, and obstructing an official proceeding.
Court documents note the DOJ recommended in a memorandum that Samsel should receive a 240-month sentence, three years’ probation, and a $2,000 fine.
“A sentence of 240 months of incarceration reflects the gravity of Samsel’s conduct and provides sufficient deterrence given Samsel’s continued lack of remorse, active and public rehashing of false narratives, violent criminal history, and interest in assaulting the Capitol again,” the DOJ wrote.
Fox News reports Samsel was convicted of verbally abusing officers and physically using a metal barricade against an officer by hitting the officer’s face. Samsel reportedly was the first to breach the barriers surrounding the Capitol building during President Joe Biden’s election certification hearing.
“Samsel spent the next hour and a half terrorizing the police on the West Front,” the DOJ said. “He assaulted the police with his flag, grabbed another officer’s shield, tore at scaffolding, flashed officers, grabbed a 2×4 plank and hurled it at the police line, and threw a pole at a different police line.”
The DOJ further wrote Samsel was “proud of his actions” during the Capitol riot and tool time to record a video selfie.
“Samsel was proud of his actions on that day, taking the time to record a selfie video during the riot and announce with a smile that he had breached the Capitol,” the DOJ wrote. “Samsel was still proud of his actions years later when he told an interviewer that his actions on January 6th were justified, because ‘sometimes civil disorder is needed.'”
However, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to pardon those found guilty of rioting at the Capitol building upon being inaugurated.
According to CNN, Trump has issued a slew of pardons ahead of his inauguration which he plans to sign upon taking office.
During an interview with NBC News, Trump said he would be taking action on the first day, and added the conditions of which the rioters are being held are “disgusting.”
“I’m gonna be acting very quickly … first day … These people have been there how long is it? Three or four years,” Trump told NBC News host Kristen Welker.
