Assault Conviction in Jan. 6 Attack on Capitol

Feb. 2 (UPI) — A violent breach of the police line during the Jan. 6 attack on
the Capitol resulted in the conviction of a Pennsylvania man for assaulting a Capitol police officer.

Key Instigator and Assault Conviction

Ryan Samsel, known for carrying a giant flag portraying Donald Trump as Rambo, played a significant role in
instigating the Capitol riot. Samsel has now been convicted of assaulting Capitol Police Officer Caroline
Edwards, along with felony charges of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding.

Confrontation and Breach of Barricades

Court documents revealed video footage of Samsel walking towards barricades manned by uniformed Capitol
Police officers. Upon reaching the barricades, Samsel immediately became confrontational. He removed his
jacket, flipped his “Make America Great Again” hat backwards, and forcefully pulled on the barricades until
the crowd broke through. Edwards was knocked unconscious after being sent reeling backward and hitting her
head on a banister due to the force of the crowd.

Judge and Co-Defendants

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb presided over the trial of Samsel and his co-defendants, James Tate Grant, Paul
Russell Johnson, Stephen Chase Randolph, and Jason Benjamin Blythe.

Convictions and Dismissed Charges

Judge Cobb convicted all five defendants of multiple felonies. However, she dismissed several misdemeanor
charges related to engaging in violent acts in a restricted area because Vice President Mike Pence was
present in the building at the time.

Potential Prison Sentence

Samsel could face up to 20 years in prison based on the felony charges alone.

Controversy Surrounding Samsel

Federal prosecutors and conservative critics have portrayed Samsel as a prominent figure in the Capitol
insurrection. While the prosecution considers him the instigator of the riot, some right-wing apologists
believe he exemplifies mistreatment experienced by defendants implicated in the riot.

Open Letters and Political Prisoner Claims

Samsel had written open letters to sympathetic members of Congress, including Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie
Taylor Greene, in which he referred to himself as a “political prisoner” and expressed dissatisfaction with
his medical treatment while in custody.

Number of People Charged and Convicted

Since the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, over 1,250 individuals have been charged, with approximately 900 of
them already convicted.