Rioters Increasingly Using “Trump Told Me To” Defense

CNN reports:

The “Trump defense” is taking shape among some alleged Capitol rioters. One by one, die-hard supporters of former President Donald Trump are now blaming him for their actions that day, after being charged by federal prosecutors and facing possible jail time.

A lawyer for one rioter who allegedly attacked police officers with a baseball bat said he was “inspired” by Trump’s incendiary speech at a rally beforehand. The so-called QAnon shaman, whose horned bearskin headdress made him go viral, now claims he was “duped” by Trump, his lawyer said.

More than 150 people have been charged in connection with the attack, according to CNN’s latest tally. “You become very self-interested very quickly when you’ve been charged by the Department of Justice,” said Elie Honig, a CNN legal analyst and former federal prosecutor.

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