Prosecutors are pushing back against a request from William Pope, a man accused of participating in the January 6 Capitol riot, to attend the upcoming presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. They believe allowing him to travel to the event could pose a danger, especially to the Capitol police officers who were involved in defending the building during the 2021 attack.
William Pope and his brother traveled to Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, to attend former President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally and protest Congress certifying the Electoral College results. According to prosecutors, the brothers arrived early that morning, carrying an American flag on a flagpole. After listening to Trump’s speech, they joined the crowd heading to the Capitol.
Court documents describe how Pope livestreamed the day on Facebook, commenting on the tension surrounding the election. When they reached the Capitol, Pope allegedly forced his way inside through the Senate Carriage Doors, moving past a police officer who tried to block the entrance. His brother followed him into the building.
Once inside, Pope reportedly used the flagpole to prevent officers from closing a door during a confrontation between police and rioters. He and his brother then wandered through several parts of the Capitol, including the offices of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, before leaving about 20 minutes later.
Pope was arrested a month later, on February 12, 2021. Prosecutors agreed to his release while awaiting trial, under certain conditions. One key rule was that he couldn’t travel to Washington, D.C., except for court-related reasons. Now, he’s asking for that rule to be waived so he can attend the presidential inauguration on January 20, claiming he was invited by someone whose identity he hasn’t revealed.
Prosecutors argue this isn’t a good enough reason to change the terms of his release. They worry about the potential risks, especially since many of the same Capitol police officers who were there on January 6 will also be working during the inauguration. Allowing Pope to return, they say, could lead to another confrontation.
They pointed out the seriousness of Pope’s actions on January 6, backed by video evidence of him entering the Capitol and refusing to leave when told to by officers. In their statement, they highlighted that his trip to Washington would not serve any legal purpose and seemed more like a sightseeing visit.
In his request, Pope said he initially turned down the invitation to the inauguration because he doesn’t enjoy being in Washington. However, he claims he was asked again and now feels obligated to attend. He promised to behave peacefully, as he says he has during his past visits to the city.
Prosecutors remain unconvinced, emphasizing the potential danger his presence could bring. They concluded by stressing that keeping Pope away from Washington, D.C., is the best way to ensure safety and prevent any further issues.
