A man from upstate New York who was arrested for his role in the “Stop the Steal” riot that turned into a riot at the U.S. Capitol did not even vote in the 2020 election, according to a new report.
CNN says it obtained voting records for more than 80 people who were arrested in the January 6 uprising and found that at least eight of them did not vote in November, when then President Donald Trump lost the White House to current President Joe Biden . Many involved in the siege said they were “patriots” trying to prevent Congress from confirming the results of the Electoral College, falsely claiming that Trump won the election.
But Edward Jacob Lang, 25, of Newburgh, NY, did not even vote for Trump – or anyone else – in the most recent election. New York state records show that Lang is registered to vote and participated in previous elections, but county and state officials confirmed to CNN that he did not vote in November.
Lang’s lawyer said Lang claimed he had produced an absence ballot, which has not been confirmed by the Sullivan County Electoral Council and identifies himself as a libertarian.
“He is not a devoted supporter of Trump, but he believes that those who take office will not defend citizens’ First and Second Amendment rights,” Lang’s lawyer told CNN.
The FBI arrested Lang at his Hudson Valley home after he posted photos and videos of himself trying to violently violate the Capitol with the caption “THIS IS ME”. Lang reportedly threw a baseball bat at the police, hitting at least his shields, and was reportedly seen wearing a gas mask during the chaos.
These social media images provided by the U.S. Department of Justice show Edward Jacob Lang, a man from upstate New York arrested for his role in the Capitol riots.
He was accused of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers or officials; civil disorder; entering a restricted building or land; and violent entry or disorderly conduct.
According to Justice Department documents, Lang referred to himself as a “Freedom leader” in the “patriotic movement” on social media, including Instagram and Facebook.
“1776 started,” he wrote next to a photo showing him on the steps of the Capitol.
“Pepper spray really works wonders for your skin # 1776,” he wrote in another.
“I was the leader of Liberty today. Arrest me. You are on the wrong side of the story, ”he said. “GIVE ME FREEDOM OR DEATH.”
ProPublica reports that Lang also used the online messaging app Telegram to recruit people to join local militia groups after the Capitol rebellion, encouraging them to stock up on weapons and prepare for war.
Lang’s lawyer told CNN that he was a “naive and impressionable young man” who was provoked by Trump’s rhetoric. Lang’s father told a local newspaper that his son has “a substance abuse problem”.
To date, more than 200 people have been arrested for their roles in the Capitol violence, which left five people dead and more than 50 police officers injured. Former President Trump was impeached by the U.S. House on charges of inciting insurrection; a Senate trial could begin next week.
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