Capitol Rioter Facing Assault Charges Asks Judge to Let Him Attend Jan. 6 in New Year As 'Journalist'

A man who was arrested for his involvement during the Jan. 6 Capitol riots has requested permission to return to Washington D.C. on Jan. 6 and Jan. 20 of 2025.

Tommy Tatum was arrested in June of this year in Mississippi for his part in the 2021 attack on the US Capitol. He was charged with a felony count of civil disorder by obstructing, impeding, or interfering with law enforcement officers engaged in official duties, and other misdemeanors.

Court documents posted onto social media reveal that Tatum requested permission to travel to Washington D.C. and Baltimore on the aforementioned dates. He hopes to attend two events, an "Offician Jan. 6 Pardon Press Conference" held on Jan. 6, and the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, as a journalist. Documents indicate that Tatum intends to cover both events in a journalistic capacity.

Tatum has frequently attended vigils held at a jail outside of Washington where some participants of the Jan. 6 riots are incarcerated.

He reportedly harrassed some of the law enforcement officers serving as witnesses in the trial of another person who allegedly participated in the riots, according to NBC News.

"Do you think you honored your father's memory by trying to kill me that day?" Tatum asks a D.C. Metropolitan Police officer in a video, following the officer down the street outside the courthouse. "How does that make you feel as a man, does that bring your Vietnamese father honor? ... I hope you take this dishonor to your family to the grave."

In 2023, Tatum served as a witness for rioter Brian Mock during his trial for his involvement in the Jan. 6 riots. Mock was ultimately convicted of his charges and sentenced to 33 months in prison.

Tatum's motion to modify conditions of release argues that he was only arrested for his involvement during the Capitol riots this year, meaning that "for more than 3 years he was under no conditions and was able to travel as he pleased and there were no incidents."

"This included over a year when he lived in Washington D.C. During that time, he attended congressional hearings and January 6 trials. He attended the nightly prayer vigil outside of the D.C. Jail where January 6 defendants are being held," court documents continued.

"He clearly poses no danger to the community. The Government was fully aware of these visits, including to rally outside the Jail, and had no objections."