TEXAS — As the country anticipates Inauguration Day against the backdrop of a U.S. Capitol riot, attorneys representing the districts of Texas are making clear their intent to prosecute any crimes committed at the state’s capitol or elsewhere.
According to a press release from the Department of Justice, as chief law enforcement officers in each of the federal districts, the U.S. Attorneys will be working with federal, state and local law enforcement throughout the state to aggressively identify individuals who violate federal law.
“During this time of polarized political discord, freedom of speech is an important right that must be safeguarded, but those who threaten to harm others, commit acts of violence, destroy property or attack law enforcement must be held accountable for their criminal behavior,” said U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer. “Now, more than ever, we must respect the rule of law. The Texas United States Attorneys’ Offices along with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners will pursue federal charges against those who refuse to do so.”
Sofer joins three other attorneys representing Texas to warn those planning to cross state lines to commit crimes in Texas or at the State Capitol that justice will be sought.
The plan is to ensure that anyone arrested for committing federal crimes related to protests or similar events on or about Inauguration Day will be processed and held in federal custody pending further criminal proceedings.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia is currently prosecuting those identified as allegedly committing crimes during the riots last week at the U.S. Capitol.