Judge denies defendant’s Jan. 6 request to attend Trump inauguration

WASHINGTON — A judge denied a defendant’s Jan. 6 request to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration after the man was invited by a former member of Congress, according to a court order released Friday.

The defendant, Russell Taylor, was accused of arranging a trip for a group of “fighters” to Washington on January 6, 2021. In 2023, he pleaded guilty to obstructing an official proceeding, and he later cooperated with the government in providing testimony against the Three Percenters militia.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said in an order Friday that “the particular nature and seriousness of Mr. Taylor’s conduct during the Capitol riots prevents him from granting him the travel authorization he now requests.” , reviewing a list of Taylor’s actions before and during the attack on the Capitol.

“Attending the presidential inauguration, which celebrates and honors the peaceful transfer of power, is a tremendous privilege,” said Mr. Lamberth.

“It would not be appropriate for the Court to grant permission to attend such a sacred event to someone who carried weapons and threatened police officers in an effort to thwart the last inauguration, and who openly glorified the (i )insurrection” against the United States. “, he added.

When reached for comment, Taylor’s attorney, Dyke E. Huish, said Taylor was “disappointed” but had “the utmost respect” for the judge and his decisions.

Lamberth “continued to treat my client with respect and give him due consideration,” Huish said in a statement. “While this decision is disappointing, as my client is a strong supporter of President-elect Trump, he understands the court’s denial of his request.”

Huish added that Taylor would watch the inauguration on television at home, noting that they had no plans to appeal the judge’s decision.

A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington referred to prosecutors’ previous filings. The office filed a motion in December opposing Taylor’s request to travel to Washington, urging the court “not to ignore his criminal conduct the last time he was on Capitol grounds.”

Former Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, wrote in a letter to the judge in December that he and three current members of Utah’s congressional delegation invited Taylor to the inauguration, although Stewart did not specified which representatives were sending the invitation.

“He is admired by many, and especially by members of his community. Russ’s passion for what is right and good is reflected in his intentions to uplift others,” Stewart said in his letter praising Taylor.

Huish filed a request Dec. 11 asking Lamberth to allow Taylor to travel to Washington for the inauguration.

In his letter, Huish wrote that Taylor “has complied with all court orders and has given no indication of any problems or concerns,” adding that Taylor “has demonstrated time and again that he is worthy of confidence in his journey.

Taylor’s conviction required him to obtain permission before leaving parts of California, where he lives. Taylor was sentenced to probation and home confinement.

In his Friday order, Lamberth noted that Taylor had taken “responsibility for his actions and provided considerable assistance to the government,” two reasons why his sentence was lighter than that of the other Jan. 6 defendants.

“But Mr. Taylor’s cooperation and good conduct during his probationary period do not diminish the seriousness of his actions on January 6, 2021, to which he voluntarily admitted, nor do they entitle him to the authorization that he’s asking now,” Lamberth said.

Taylor is not the only Jan. 6 defendant seeking permission to travel to the inauguration. Other defendants who filed requests include Christopher Belliveau, whose request was denied; Eric Peterson, whose request was granted; and William Pope, who has not yet received a decision on his request, according to court records.