Elon Musk Insists January 6 Prosecutions ‘Have Gone Too Far’ After Arrest Of Conservative Influencer
Musk made the comment on X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to a post from far-right media personality Ian Miles Cheong defending conservative influencer Isabella Maria DeLuca after her arrest by the FBI on Friday.
DeLuca, a former intern for former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., and Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., said she would “fight back” in a tweet on Jan. 6, 2021, well after the crowd moved to the Capitol building and Congress began evacuating.
According to an affidavit unsealed Monday, both DeLuca and her mother told investigators in 2021 that she did go to the “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, but did not go inside the Capitol.
Cheong claimed that DeLuca was “entirely peaceful” at the rally, and “extensive video footage proves she committed no acts of violence”—however, videos and photos uncovered by the FBI show that DeLuca did appear to enter the Capitol building, and helped others remove a table that was later used to “assault law enforcement officers guarding the Lower West Terrace Tunnel.”
DeLuca was arrested by FBI agents on Friday and charged with theft of government property, entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct in the Capitol and parading or demonstrating in the Capitol (she has not been arraigned or entered a plea as of Tuesday).
In a statement posted on X, DeLuca did not confirm or deny the allegations, but said she was the victim of “unwarranted targeting and persecution” from the Justice Department.
KEY BACKGROUND
Musk’s post on Tuesday is only his latest veer toward a far-right stance after months of promoting conservative causes and conspiracy theories. In the past, Musk has repeated misleading claims and pushed debunked conspiracy theories about the migrant surge, accusing Democrats without proof of pushing to “legalize” undocumented immigrants before the election. Earlier on Tuesday, Musk retweeted a video again claiming that Democrats are trying to establish a “one party state.” He has also voiced support for defendants caught up in Jan. 6 legal proceedings in the past, including Jacob Chansley, also known as the “QAnon Shaman,” after former Fox News host Tucker Carlson released footage of the notorious figure in March 2023. Chansley in September 2021 pleaded guilty to obstructing an official proceeding of Congress, and was sentenced to 41 months in prison. Chansley was released early in March 2023 after serving only about six months. Chansley’s attorneys confirmed to Reuters that he was not released early due to footage aired by Carlson, and was instead released for good behavior as part of a plea agreement.
SURPRISING FACT
Three years after the Capitol riots, more than 1,265 people have been charged with crimes related to the attack, the Justice Department said. These include assaulting, resisting or impeding police officers, assaulting members of the media or destroying their equipment, entering a restricted building, obstructing an official proceeding of Congress, and conspiracy to commit all of these crimes. A total of 718 defendants have pleaded guilty to federal charges related to Jan. 6, including 213 felony charges and 505 misdemeanors. Another 139 people were found guilty at trial, including multiple members of far-right militia groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, was sentenced to 18 years in prison last May. Enrique Tarrio, the Proud Boys’ leader, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in September—the longest sentence handed down yet.
FORBES VALUATION
"We estimate Elon Musk’s net worth at $193.2 billion, making him the third-wealthiest person in the world and second-wealthiest in America. Musk’s fortune briefly passed Jeff Bezos on Monday, but the billionaire Amazon founder’s wealth grew by over $900 million on Tuesday, enough for him to retake his position as wealthiest person in the U.S."
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