Here’s Why Floridians Should Pay Attention to the Capitol Riot Hearings

Many Floridians played a key role in the violent attack on the Capitol.

The Jan. 6 Capitol hearings may seem like a world away to Floridians, but they aren’t. Ninety-one Floridians have been charged with crimes related to the violent attack—more than any other state.  

Residents from cities including Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Ocala, and Jacksonville played a prominent role in the attack that led to the deaths of five people, and the suicides of four police officers. 

Florida is also the state with the most members from prominent far-right groups, such as the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, charged for riot crimes.

Two Proud Boys members, Enrique Tarrio from Miami, a former leader, and Joseph Biggs from Ormond Beach, are facing charges of destruction of government property, disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and seditious conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Four members of another radical group, Oath Keepers, who are residents of Central Florida, are facing charges that include seditious conspiracy. 

The group of Florida rioters also includes former police officer Nicholes Lentz,  former Palm Beach County Commission candidate Jody Tagaris, and Adam Johnson, a stay-at-home father of five boys from Bradenton, whose picture carrying the podium of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) went viral. Last February, he was sentenced to 75 days in jail and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

US Rep. Darren Soto (D-9) said it is important for Floridians to watch the hearings, which will continue on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Florida leads nation with nearly 100 residents charged in #January6th Insurrection. This is a stark reminder of radical Republican extremism in our state,” Soto, who was trapped in the chamber and witnessed the violence firsthand, wrote on Twitter.