Dozens of people have been arrested and charged in connection with the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, including four Ohioans. And two Ohio National Guard members, of the more than 25,000 nationwide now in Washington D.C., have been sent home because of ties to far-right groups.
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Niles) chairs the subcommittee that funds the Capitol Police, and said it’s been hard to work in the building that was stormed by rioters. Two Capitol Police officers were suspended for taking part in the riot as well.
“There's already 15-20 open investigations to members of the Capitol Police," Ryan said. "We know that there were active duty military in the crowd, active duty police in the crowd. So it's scary from that vantage point that you just don't know who's who."
But Ryan said he feels it’s important to hold President Biden's inauguration outdoors and in public as long as it’s safe.
“I do think it would be a shame if it wasn't where it normally is," Ryan said. "I think it's important that we continue to keep the continuity in the flow of our rituals that we have and make sure everybody understands that they can't disturb that."
Ryan said this new reality may mean security changes to the Capitol and other buildings could be permanent.
The four Ohioans arrested and charged so far are:
- Christine Priola, 49, of Willoughby: former occupational therapist for the Cleveland schools, charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building; violent entry; and unlawful activities on Capitol grounds
- Justin Stoll, 40, of Wilmington: charged with online threats and witness tampering
- Donovan Ray Crowl, 50, and Jessica Marie Watkins, 38, both of Woodstock in Champaign County and members of “the Ohio State Regular Militia," which is tied to the Oath Keepers: charged with willfully joining the crowd that “forcibly entered the Capitol and impeded, disrupted and disturbed the orderly conduct of business by the House of Representatives and the Senate”
