A federal judge's ruling stands between a convicted Jan. 6 participant and his hopes to attend Donald Trump's upcoming presidential inauguration.
According to Deseret News, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth rejected Russell Taylor's request to travel to Washington, D.C., for the inaugural festivities despite having support from former Utah Representative Chris Stewart.
The denial comes after Stewart wrote a letter to the judge praising Taylor as a "man of integrity and faith" and extending an invitation to him and his family to attend Trump's second inauguration.
Three other unnamed current members of the Utah congressional delegation were mentioned as joining Stewart in the invitation, though spokespersons for Representatives Blake Moore, Burgess Owens, Celeste Maloy, and then-Representative John Curtis later denied any involvement.
Judge Lamberth emphasized Taylor's previous lenient sentencing in his ruling, noting that the defendant's current good behavior held little relevance to the specific request. Taylor, who remains on probation, had received a lighter sentence partly due to his "otherwise law-abiding life."
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth stated:
However, Mr. Taylor's good traits and adherence to his terms of probation are of only marginal importance to the motion at hand. Mr. Taylor's motion presents only the narrow question of whether a person who conspired and acted to thwart the peaceful transfer of power four years ago with incitement, threats and weapons should now be granted special permission to attend the celebration of the peaceful transfer of power.
The judge's response was unequivocal, concluding that the answer was "no," regardless of Taylor's current standing as a good person.
Court documents reveal Taylor's significant role in the January 6 events, where he helped organize a "group of fighters" to prevent the 2020 presidential election certification. The California resident's actions included providing weapons to co-defendants and actively participating in confrontations with law enforcement.
Taylor's involvement went beyond mere presence at the Capitol. He carried weapons during the riot and actively encouraged others to confront police officers. His own text messages from that day confirmed his possession of weapons throughout the event.
The case has gained additional attention due to Trump's public stance on the January 6 defendants. The former president has promised to pardon these individuals on his first day back in office and has repeatedly characterized the events as a "day of love."
Taylor's request and its denial highlight the ongoing legal consequences faced by the January 6 participants. The defendant, who pleaded guilty to obstructing an official proceeding, must continue following his probation requirements, including obtaining permission for travel.
Despite having connections to former Representative Stewart through mutual friends, Taylor's attempt to attend the inauguration was firmly rejected. Court documents detail his aggressive actions during the riot, including pushing past police barricades and participating in assaults on law enforcement officers.
The ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to maintaining accountability for those involved in the Capitol riot, even as political figures attempt to influence these cases.
