Jan. 6 Capitol Attack Protesters Regain Confidence at Texas Border Rally

The January 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol marked a turning point in American history. A group of right-leaning supporters of former President Donald Trump, who had previously been online agitators, transformed into a violent mob intent on disrupting the congressional process to affirm the 2020 election results. The event resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including four rioters and one Capitol Police officer. In response, federal prosecutors launched one of the largest and most complex investigations in the nation’s history, leading to 1,313 arrests and 900 convictions and guilty pleas.

Three years later, some of the same individuals who were arrested and convicted for their role in the violent insurrection were embraced by an emboldened fringe movement at the nation’s southern border. The Take Our Border Back rally, held in Quemado, Texas, on February 3, 2024, brought together anti-immigration hardliners, MAGA conservatives, and other fringe elements to protest the Biden administration’s immigration policies. The event also served as a rebirth for some Jan. 6 defendants, who took the stage to galvanize supporters.

In speeches and private conversations, some of the Jan. 6 defendants told CBS News that the border rally emboldened them to resume in-person protests and rallies. Christina Holbrook, a 42-year-old attendee who traveled from Cincinnati to attend the rally, expressed her belief that the Jan. 6 prosecutions may have briefly deterred some individuals but ultimately served as a powerful organizing tool.

“It’s the same idea as politically prosecuting Donald Trump. It absolutely has backfired,” Holbrook said. “But the government’s prosecutions have actually brought people together.”

The Jan. 6 insurrection was a turning point in American history, as a group of right-leaning supporters of former President Donald Trump transformed into a violent mob intent on disrupting the congressional process to affirm the 2020 election results. The event resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including four rioters and one Capitol Police officer. In response, federal prosecutors launched one of the largest and most complex investigations in the nation’s history, leading to 1,313 arrests and 900 convictions and guilty pleas.

The plan for deterrence
The Jan. 6 insurrection was a turning point in American history, as a group of right-leaning supporters of former President Donald Trump transformed into a violent mob intent on disrupting the congressional process to affirm the 2020 election results. The event resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including four rioters and one Capitol Police officer. In response, federal prosecutors launched one of the largest and most complex investigations in the nation’s history, leading to 1,313 arrests and 900 convictions and guilty pleas.

Four rioters died in the assault on the U.S. Capitol: three who suffered medical emergencies and one, Ashli Babbitt, who was shot by a Capitol Police officer as she attempted to force her way toward where members of Congress were sheltering in place. Hours after the riot, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who came under attack with chemical spray, died of a stroke. Four more officers, Howard Liebengood, Jeffrey Smith, Kyle DeFreytag, and Gunther Hashida, committed suicide in the days and weeks afterwards.

Take Back Border Convoy
People from all over the U.S. are led in prayer as they gather as part of the Take Our Border Back convoy on Feb. 3, 2024, in Quemado, Texas.

After the assault, federal prosecutors mounted one of the largest and most complex investigations in the nation’s history, leading to 1,313 arrests and 900 convictions and guilty pleas. At least 124 defendants have been charged with causing serious injuries to officers. The Justice Department found that approximately 140 police officers were assaulted on Jan. 6, including 80 Capitol Police officers and 60 Metropolitan Police officers.

“The best way to prevent another Jan. 6 is to ensure accountability for Jan. 6,” Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi said at the conclusion of a House select committee investigation that recommended Trump be criminally prosecuted. “Accountability at all levels.”

Judges overseeing Jan. 6-related cases at times said openly they expected prison time to serve as a deterrent against future insurrections.

“It has to be made clear that trying to violently overthrow the government, trying to stop the peaceful transition of power and assaulting law enforcement officers in that effort is going to be met with absolutely certain punishment,” said U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, during a Jan. 6 sentencing hearing in 2021.

Earlier this year, federal judge Ana Reyes admonished Jan. 6 defendant Karol Chwiesiuk, a former Chicago police officer, and his sister Agnieszka for their actions that day.

“What happened on Jan. 6 was — I have no words for that I can adequately convey how alarming it was and how destructive it was and how un-American it was. And every single person who rioted at the Capitol and who invaded the Capitol was part of an insurrection, end stop,” Judge Reyes told the defendants at their sentencing. “You might not have thought that was what you were doing going in, but that is what it was.”

Hailed as heroes
But in Texas last weekend, an emboldened posture that has been percolating in right-wing online forums burst into public view.

Nearly 400 people showed up to Saturday’s rally to hear people like Ryan Zink speak. On Jan. 6, Zink, according to the D.C. U.S. attorney’s office, shot video of the rioting and proclaimed in one clip, “We knocked down the gates! We’re storming the Capitol! You can’t stop us!” Zink was found guilty on both felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions that day. Now, he’s running for a seat in Congress, and he took to the stage to give a campaign speech.

“I’m just a country boy who had his entire life kicked out from underneath him,” he said. Zink described his experience as a Jan. 6 defendant to the crowd.

“If you get me to Washington, D.C., I will do everything I can to stop what happened to me from happening to you and your children,” he said, a call to action that was met with overwhelming applause.

Treniss Evans, who pleaded guilty to illegally entering the Capitol complex on Jan. 6 and served 20 days behind bars, spoke at One Shot Distillery and Brewery in Dripping Springs two days before the rally.

“We stand here at a moment where people are actually starting to gather again,” said Evans, who is both a defendant himself and does legal advocacy for other Jan. 6ers through his organization, Condemned USA.

Overcoming fears of gathering IRL
Last week’s rally provided early evidence that efforts to try and discourage anti-government activists from leaving their computer keyboards and rallying in person may have fallen short. In the days leading up to the convoy, organizing channels on Telegram were riddled with rumors and paranoia suggesting the event was going to lead to Jan. 6-style arrests. Users went back and forth about whether or not organizing in-person was worth the risk.

“I heard on the news that this was actually being organized by the Feds to entrap us,” said one user. Another countered, “Stop letting them scare you out of protesting using January 6th. That’s the goal and it’s working.”

But the rally revealed that the misinformation and fervor behind the Jan. 6 insurrection may be more durable than federal authorities had hoped. In a speech, Evans appeared newly emboldened with familiar election propaganda.

“They are going to steal your election again. We all know what’s coming,” he said.

To Evans and others, the Take Our Border Back rally opened a new chapter for a “patriot” movement ready to organize in person again.

“It absolutely shows proof of concept,” Holbrook said, adding that attendees are already talking about the next gathering. “What can we do now? What comes next?”

Assault On The U.S. Capitol More
U.S. Capitol Police scuffle with rioters outside of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

5 Capitol riot defendants who led “first breach” on Jan. 6 found guilty at trial
Capitol Riot Ex-Soldier Arrested
Military vet who killed Iraqi civilian is ordered jailed on Capitol riot charges
President Trump Holds News Conference In Brady Press Briefing Room
Peter Navarro, ex-Trump official, gets 4 months in prison for contempt of Congress
Marc Bru DOJ images
Defiant Jan. 6 rioter tells judge “you could give me 100 years”

In: Immigration Texas
First published on February 9, 2024 / 11:34 AM EST

© 2024 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy California Notice Terms of Use About Advertise Closed Captioning CBS News Live on Paramount+ CBS News Store Site Map Contact Us Help

Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
Not NowTurn On