On Tuesday, a federal judge granted a significant exception to the travel restrictions imposed on a January 6 defendant. William Pope, a Kansas resident and nonviolent J6 participant has been allowed to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20 in Washington, D.C.
The motion, granted by Judge Rudolph Contreras, is a rare departure from standard pre-trial release conditions, which typically prohibit defendants from engaging in certain behaviors. Pope had been under the condition of release preventing him from entering Washington since March 2021.
This decision marks a turning point in the handling of such cases, especially given the Justice Department’s staunch opposition to Pope's motion and similar requests from other defendants.
Pope tells RedState:
Stacking wins never gets old. Hopefully my prosecutors are enjoying a miserable day after suffering yet another defeat.
In his order, Judge Contreras noted that Pope was not charged with any violent offenses or vandalism. This distinction appeared pivotal in his decision to approve the request.
Last month, Judge Tanya Chutkan granted Eric Peterson, another January 6 defendant, permission to attend the inauguration. Peterson, a military veteran, had pleaded guilty to nonviolent misdemeanors. Judge Chutkan, who also oversaw the federal prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump, noted that prosecutors did not file a motion opposing his travel.
Read More:
DOJ Tries to Block January 6 Defendants From Trump’s Inauguration, but One Gets Approval
The DOJ Is Trying to Stop January 6 Defendants From Attending Trump's Inauguration
However, other defendants, such as Cindy Young, have faced stiff resistance from the Justice Department. Young’s request to travel to Washington was denied, with prosecutors arguing that her presence would pose a risk to the community and re-traumatize Capitol police officers, whom they accuse her of publicly mocking.
Christopher Belliveau of Maine also requested permission to attend the inauguration. His attorney argued his status as a respected business owner with no history of violence. However, Judge Timothy Kelly rejected the request, citing what he called the "serious nature" of the charges against Belliveau, which include allegations of attacking an officer with chemical spray and entering the Capitol while carrying a bullhorn and hockey stick.
Similarly, Russell Taylor of California, who had a personal invitation from a congressman to attend, was denied permission by Judge Royce Lamberth. Taylor’s charges included carrying weapons to the Capitol. The judge highlighted Taylor’s past statements advocating for insurrection and noted that his actions during the riot involved threatening law enforcement and encouraging violence, even though he did not directly assault officers.
William Pope’s case is significant because it signals a willingness to consider individual circumstances rather than applying blanket restrictions. Together, the pair of rulings granting the defendant's requests introduces an important nuance. It acknowledges that these January 6 defendants do not pose a threat, which could lead to more tailored approaches in similar cases.
Pope, who has consistently maintained his innocence regarding the allegations against him, framed his attendance as an opportunity to support the democratic process.
Pope said:
While I don't enjoy being in Washington, I am looking forward to attending the Presidential Inauguration.
For Pope, the opportunity to attend Trump’s inauguration represents not only a personal victory but also is symbolic of a wider historical context.
He tells RedState:
We have made a stunning historical comeback, and it will be a fitting conclusion to the January 6 prosecutions.
Trump will be inaugurated for his second term on January 20. Pope has been granted permission to be in Washinton from January 19 through January 21.