Judge denies Jan. 6 rioter’s bid to attend Trump inauguration

A U.S. District Judge denied a Jan. 6 rioter’s request to attend President-elect Trump's inauguration later this month, citing concerns over the Capitol insurrection which incited hours of chaos and violence in the nation’s capital. 

Russell Taylor, who is on probation after pleading guilty to obstructing an official proceeding, petitioned the court for permission to travel outside of the Central District of California to attend the ceremony for President-elect Trump after receiving an invitation from lawmakers. 

Judge Royce Lamberth denied the request in a Friday court order, reflecting on the event that took place after the 2020 presidential election.

“Mr. Taylor brought a knife and plate carrier vest to the Capitol and carried a backpack containing a hatchet and stun baton,” Lamberth noted in the order. 

“During the Riots, Mr. Taylor pushed past police barricades, encouraged fellow rioters to push against a police line where officers were being visibly assaulted, joined the push himself, and repeatedly threatened the police protecting the Upper West Terrace that it was their ‘[l]ast chance’ to ‘stand down’ and abandon their position,” the judge wrote.

Although Taylor did not injure on duty officers, Lamberth said the effort to incite a riot warranted grave concerns for his attendance at future political events of prominence.

“While he did not personally assault law enforcement officers, he did threaten them and encourage other rioters who were actively assaulting them,” Lamberth stated. "He also contributed meaningfully to the sheer danger of the day’s events by arriving armed and armored."

“And although Mr. Taylor’s rhetoric on the day of the Capitol Riots is interspersed with pro-America motifs and allusions, his unlawful conduct and his later espousal of 'insurrection' belie any patriotic motives he may have professed that day,” he added.

Taylor’s attorney, Dyke E. Hush, commended Taylor's compliance with probation orders and court cooperation that led to the conviction of the Three Percenters militia as proof of his changed behavior. 

“While this ruling is disappointing, as my client is a huge supporter of president-elect Trump, he does understand the court denial of his request," Hush told NBC News.

Hush did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.

Taylor isn’t the only Jan. 6 rioter to apply for permission to attend Trump’s inauguration. Eric Peterson was granted approval to attend while Christopher Belliveau was denied.

William Pope is still awaiting a decision.