A Capitol rioter accused of threatening lawmakers and bringing weapons near Barack Obama's Washington, D.C., home is seeking to have his charges dismissed, claiming they relate to President Donald Trump's pardon.
Taylor Taranto, a Navy veteran from Washington state, was originally charged for his participation in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, Law and Crime reported. Prosecutors accused him of illegally entering the Capitol, disorderly conduct and other offenses.
In June 2023, Taranto was reportedly arrested near Obama's residence with firearms, ammunition and materials that could be used to create explosives. He had also allegedly made threats against U.S. lawmakers. The Justice Department charged him with multiple weapons violations and a false hoax charge.
Taranto has argued that Trump's pardon for January 6 defendants also applies to his later alleged crimes.
In support of Taranto's claims, his attorney, Carmen D. Hernandez, filed a motion last week arguing that his charges should be dropped under Trump's January 2024 executive order pardoning those charged in connection with the Capitol riot.
The motion claims that because the government included both the January 6 and June 2023 charges in the same indictment, they are "related" and should be dismissed.
The Justice Department opposes this argument, asserting that Taranto's alleged crimes in 2023 are completely separate from his January 6 actions and therefore not covered by the pardon.
A judge has yet to rule on Taranto's motion, but legal experts suggest it is unlikely to succeed. Meanwhile, Taranto is also facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the widow of Capitol Police officer Jeffrey Smith, who died by suicide after sustaining injuries during the January 6 riot.
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