A federal judge has denied a January 6 felony defendant’s request to attend Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, despite a personal invitation from Utah congressional delegates. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that Russell Taylor’s actions during the Capitol riot disqualified him from participating in such a significant event.
Judge Cites “Unusually Grave” Conduct
In a five-page decision, Judge Lamberth highlighted Taylor’s role in the January 6 insurrection, which included recruiting “fighters,” wearing armor, carrying weapons, and helping breach police lines. Lamberth described Taylor’s conduct as “unusually grave” and stated that granting him the “immense privilege” of attending the inauguration would be inappropriate.
“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,” Lamberth wrote.
Mixed Rulings on Similar Requests
Taylor’s request is one of several made by January 6 defendants seeking to attend Trump’s inauguration. U.S. District Judge Tim Kelly, a Trump appointee, similarly denied a request last week from a defendant accused of using chemical spray on a police officer. However, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan approved a misdemeanor defendant’s request to attend.
The Justice Department has generally opposed these requests, arguing that it would be improper to allow Capitol police to face individuals who previously acted against them.
Congressional Support for Taylor
Taylor’s request was unique because it received public backing from members of Congress. Former Utah Representative Chris Stewart wrote to Lamberth on behalf of three current Utah congressional delegates, describing Taylor as a “caring father” and expressing his support for Taylor’s attendance as his guest.
Despite Taylor’s early cooperation with prosecutors and his probation sentence, Lamberth emphasized that these factors had already been considered during sentencing.
“The narrow question before the court is whether a person who conspired and acted to thwart the peaceful transfer of power four years ago should now be granted special permission to attend the celebration of the peaceful transfer of power,” Lamberth concluded. “The answer is ‘no.’”
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