The US Justice Department has charged more than three hundred people over participating in the deadly riots that unfolded in the US Capitol. While talking to the news reporters on Friday, John Carlin, the acting deputy attorney general, said that 280 people have been arrested so far.
He further added that the investigation into the riots is proceeding at an “unprecedented” pace and vowed to hold the responsible accountable for their actions. It comes days after the acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman told the lawmakers that pro-Trump demonstrators had wished to blow up the government building.
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The police chief further expressed his concern that far-right groups could charge the Congress during an addressed by the newly-elected president. On Friday, in response to the threats, the FBI stated that they were closely monitoring the situation. Currently, the agency is investigating whether the far-right groups like Oath Keepers and Proud Boys conspired in advance to impede the congressional certification of Biden’s victory in the November elections.
As of Friday, the law enforcement agencies have charged a total of 18 members of the Proud Boys over their involvement in the deadly chaos. Earlier this month, the prosecutors also charged as many as no members of Oath Keepers in connection with an alleged plot to force their way into the US Congress.
While talking to the media representatives, the FBI officials said that these far-right groups have posed a grave threat to national harmony for several years. They further added that the anti-government groups were the biggest threat last year and remain the federal agency’s top priority. The January 6 riots resulted in a total of five fatalities, including a Capitol police officer, who succumbed to the injuries sustained by the clashes with pro-Trump demonstrators.
