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U.S. Capitol Riots

'Elephant in the room': Police grapple with charges against officers in Jan. 6 Capitol attack

At least 19 current or former officers were charged in Jan. 6, sometimes with assaulting officers, according to a USA TODAY analysis of court records.

Bart Jansen
USA TODAY
  • At least seven current or former officers have been convicted, including Thomas Webster on Monday.
  • “Any time you see law enforcement violating the trust that’s been placed in them, it’s a concern, " said Daniel Linskey, former Boston police chief.

WASHINGTON – Off-duty police officer Thomas Robertson confronted officers defending the Capitol Jan. 6. Carrying a large wooden stick, he entered the historic building amid a mob of rioters.

Robertson, 49, of Ferrum, Virginia, was convicted at trial last month of six charges, including felonies for obstructing Congress and interfering with law enforcement.

On Monday, Thomas Webster, 56, of Goshen, New York, a Marine veteran and retired New York City police officer, was convicted of assaulting a District of Columbia police officer outside the Capitol. After rioters charged through a metal barricade, Webster was charged with swinging a flag pole at the officer and tackling him.

The convictions underscore a worrisome aspect of the insurrection, in which at least 19 current or former officers were charged, some with assaulting officers or witnessing attacks on others, according to a USA TODAY analysis of court records.

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