Judge Declines Jan. 6 Defendant’s Request to Attend Trump Inauguration

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Russell Taylor’s cooperation and good conduct does not entitle him to permission to travel to Washington for the inauguration, the judge determined.

A federal judge has denied a Jan. 6 defendant’s request to travel to Washington to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, a trip requiring court approval under his probation terms.

Russell Taylor, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, had sought permission to travel with his wife and children to witness the ceremony, scheduled for Jan. 20, when Trump will be sworn into office for a second term.

Taylor’s attorney, Dyke Huish, noted in a court filing that his client had shown remorse for his actions, successfully completed his home confinement, remains in compliance with the terms of his three-year probation, and that he had been invited by former Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) to attend the inauguration as his guest.

However, District Judge Royce C. Lamberth denied the request in an order issued on Jan. 3.

Citing the “particular nature and severity” of Taylor’s actions during the Capitol incident, the judge noted Taylor’s own admission that his intent in traveling to Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, was to “intimidate” members of Congress and “influence” them to reject the certification of then-President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential race. Taylor planned to breach the Capitol, carried weapons and body armor, urged others to arm themselves, pushed through police barricades, and threatened officers during violent clashes, Lamberth said.

“This summary paints the picture of Mr. Taylor’s unusually grave conduct,” the judge wrote. “While he did not personally assault law enforcement officers, he did threaten them and encourage other rioters who were actively assaulting them.”

Lamberth acknowledged that Taylor had “commendably” taken responsibility for his actions and cooperated with investigators, earning him a probationary sentence that was “drastically” more lenient than any of his co-defendants. However, Taylor’s cooperation and good conduct does not entitle him to permission to travel to Washington for the inauguration, the judge determined.

“It would not be appropriate for the Court to grant permission to attend such a hallowed event to someone who carried weapons and threatened police officers in an attempt to thwart the last Inauguration, and who openly glorified ‘insurrection’ against the United States,” Lamberth wrote.

The judge said he had taken into account the invitation letter from Stewart, which endorsed Taylor’s character, but dismissed it as only of “marginal” importance to his request for permission to travel to attend the inauguration.

In his letter to the judge, the former congressman from Utah described Taylor as a man of “integrity and faith, ” and a caring father who “reveres his family, his faith, and his love of our Country as his highest priority in life.” Stewart added that three other current members of the Utah congressional delegation had joined him in extending the invitation to Taylor to attend the inauguration as their guest.

Taylor’s attorney, Dyke Huish, told several media outlets that his client was “disappointed” with the decision but has the “utmost respect” for the judge and his order.

Several other Jan. 6 defendants—including Cindy Young and Christopher Belliveau—have sought permission to attend the inauguration.

The Justice Department has generally opposed such requests. In the case of Young, who was convicted of four misdemeanor charges, government attorneys argue she presents a “danger to the D.C. community” and to law enforcement. Prosecutors are citing the same reason in a motion opposing Belliveau’s request.