Several Capitol Rioters Who Allegedly Attacked Cops May Claim Police Brutality Victimhood

A group of Jan. 6 Capitol rioters will reportedly make self-defense arguments in their upcoming trials.

According to the New York Times, several defendants who allegedly assaulted police during the fatal Capitol attack intend to defend their actions by claiming to be victims of police brutality. The publication reports that the attorneys representing these defendants have reviewed “thousands of hours of videos” taken during the incident, and that the unreleased footage will prove “acts of brutality” by Capitol Police officers. About half a dozen of these rioters have reportedly expressed their intentions to pursue this argument.

Last week, it was reported that Capitol rioter Thomas Webster will claim self-defense when he appears in court next year. The veteran NYPD officer is accused of using a metal pole to hit Capitol Police during the attack. According to CBS-affiliate WUSA, Webster’s attorney says officers’ body cam footage will show the police used “excessive force” prior to Webster’s alleged assault. The defendant is facing seven charges, five of which are felonies, including assaulting a police officer with a dangerous weapon.

This story is being updated.