Not Just Oath Keepers and Proud Boys: Meet the “Ordinary” Violent Offenders of January 6, 2021 Chicago Project on Security and Threats
Robert A. Pape  |  Janaury 15, 2025

On January 6, 2021, the assault on the US Capitol overwhelmed police and led to the suspension of the Congressional certification of a duly elected president of the United States. This was the first time in US history that a domestic uprising interfered with the peaceful transfer of Presidential power.

A myth is emerging that most of the people convicted for offenses on January 6 were not involved in the violence and mass riot. However, a close examination of a randomly selected group of the 475 people convicted of the lowest level of offenses—non-violent misdemeanors—challenges this emerging public perception.   The report below provides strong photographic evidence from the court documents that these individuals were knowing and willing participants in the violent aspects of the Capitol siege, and that without the participation of this vast group, the siege would likely have never happened or been quickly ended by the police.  In sum, it would be a mistake to assume that those charged with only misdemeanors for their role on January 6 were engaged in normal political protest or tourist activities, since the detailed evidence suggests they were willing participants in the riot.

Importantly, block pardons for this group risks legitimating even the most violent aspects of the January 6 assault on the Capitol, because the presence of people actively supporting and encouraging violence is critical to the level of violence that occurred.   This so-called “non-violent” set of offenders also significantly contribute to the erosion of democratic norms of restraint in the use of force for political purposes, and thus increasing the risk of political violence in the future.

You can download the full report here.