The video features “QAnon Shaman,” a proud kid among the mafia, who nearly intercepted a top Republican senator escaping the Capitol on January 6th
Recently released video in the case of the so-called “QAnon shaman,” who memorably wore a furry pelt and horned helmet during the January 6 US Capitol siege, shows how tight-knit the mob of Donald Trump supporters was in the US Capitol building that day came in to intercept a senior Senate Republican as he was being evacuated.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) was apparently flanked by his security detail as he was escorted out of the Senate chamber, according to Politico, which first reported the near miss. Footage shows that shortly after the mob forcibly broke into the building – by smashing windows and opening doors – the mob encountered a uniformed officer standing in a small corridor.
Jacob “QAnon Shaman” Chansley (L) via SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images; (R) A uniformed officer stands between Jan. 6 rioters and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) as he is evacuated from the building (via Justice Department video release).
The video shows at least three security points between the rioters and the senator: the uniformed officers, two women standing behind the officer who also face the crowd, and Grassley’s own security detail. The camera lingers briefly on the group with the senator before panning back to the crowd.
It’s unclear if the rioters – who called “Freedom!” and “Our house!” – knew who they had just almost met.
Grassley, as Senate President pro tempore and third in the line of presidential succession, had recently led the certification process to confirm Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory after then-Vice President Mike Pence was forced out of the chamber over the security risk posed by Pro-Trump mob.
Also featured in the video is Dominic Pezzola, a New York State member of the Proud Boys extremist group. Pezzola was charged with a number of crimes related to the Jan. 6 attack, including seditious conspiracy. His trial, along with Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and members Ethan Nordean, Zachary Rehl and Joseph Biggs, began in January and is ongoing.
The handheld video follows the crowd from just before the break-in until just after they climb a flight of stairs, presumably following US Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, who is credited with leading the mob away from the Senate chambers. Rioters use their bare hands and ad hoc tools to smash windows before the doors finally open.
LR: Pro-Trump rioters are seen smashing windows before entering the Capitol; Jacob Chansley, the “QAnon Shaman”; Dominic Pezzola (via Department of Justice video).
As soon as he enters the building, a rioter is seen entering a food area, though other protesters can be heard ordering him to stop.
According to Politico, the footage was taken by another accused rioter, Daniel Adams, who faces assault, disability and civil disorder charges. The video was released in connection with Chansley’s case, according to the federal database, which shares video and documentary evidence in Jan. 6 cases with media organizations.
Chansley pleaded guilty to obstructing an official congressional process, which carries a possible 20-year sentence, and was sentenced to more than three years in November 2021. The case record shows that Chansley dropped his appeal in July 2022. Chansley is set to be released on July 9, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The Justice Department declined to comment on the video. A spokesman for Grassley did not immediately respond to Law&Crime’s request for comment.
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https://lawandcrime.com/u-s-capitol-breach/video-shows-qanon-shaman-proud-boy-among-mob-that-almost-intercepted-top-republican-senator-fleeing-the-capitol-on-jan-6/ The video features “QAnon Shaman,” a proud kid among the mafia, who nearly intercepted a top Republican senator escaping the Capitol on January 6th