A Florida firefighter’s lawyer arrested in connection with last week’s deadly riot at the United States Capitol blamed part of the blame on President Trump
Donald Trump An increasing number of Republican lawmakers say they support impeachment. YouTube temporarily prevents the upload of new content on the Trump channel. House approves move asking Pence to remove Trump MORE for encouraging “despicable behavior” among his supporters.
Andrew Williams of the Sanford Fire Department was accused of disorderly conduct after being photographed among the crowd outside the Capitol, The Orlando Sentinel reported, citing federal records. Williams made his first appearance at the federal court in Orlando on Tuesday.
House Democrats are gearing up for Trump’s impeachment a second time for his actions before last Wednesday’s violence, which included months of false allegations about the 2020 election and directly encouraging his supporters to march on Capitol Hill. Trump has also been banned from several media outlets and even some Republicans have asked him to step down.
“The president and the Capitol Police encouraged negligible behavior, Mr. Williams did not participate in any of this,” lawyer Vincent Citro told reporters outside the courtroom before moving his client away from the press. He did not address the footage that appeared to show Williams inside the building.
Williams appeared with handcuffs and restraints on his legs, but Judge Embry Kidd ordered him to be released on condition of a psychiatric evaluation, ordering him to remain in the Middle District of Florida, according to the newspaper. Kidd also prohibited Williams from owning any “firearms, ammunition, destructive devices or other dangerous weapons”.
“The United States has indicated that you represent a risk of flight and a potential danger to your community,” said Kidd.
It is unclear to what extent Citro’s allegations will appear in its defense of its client’s real judgment.
A report released by the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday night said several protesters believed they were following the president’s instructions when breaking into the Capitol. He specifically cites former West Virginia Del. Derrick Evans (R), who posted on social media that he was traveling to Washington in response to a tweet from the president.