Thread by @capitolhunters

#SeditionHunters - the second J6 trial has just ended, first for a #SeditionVIP: Couy Griffin, leader of Cowboys for Trump, guilty on one count. Only a misdemeanor but sets an important precedent: VIPs who entered Capitol Grounds face some consequences. 1/
politico.com/news/2022/03/2…

Griffin climbed over downed barricades up the W. lawn, and to the Lower W. Terrace, filmed himself ca. 3:30 PM with the crowd behind. Judge McFadden agreed that this is "entering the grounds of a building that were restricted due to the presence of a Secret Service protectee." 2/

These first 2 trials set important precedents for J6 perps who stayed outside the Capitol building. Guy Reffitt: violent perps can be guilty of obstruction. Couy Griffin: Pence was in the Capitol, so self-promoting celebrities touring the grounds committed a serious offense. 3/

Couy Griffin, commissioner of Otero County NM, has a typical #SeditionVIP bio: a life of flamboyant promotional stunts, mixed political success, financial troubles. He latched onto the Big Lie & the Trump train - degrading democracy for grift and gain. 4/
kunm.org/2022-03-10/bro…

Get ready for howls of outrage from other #SeditionVIPs. Anti-abortion activist #IamTaylerHansen is already starting with the conspiracy theories - he was at the courthouse as a self-declared 'journalist'. On Jan 6 he got to the Capitol early, walked in with the Proud Boys... 5/

Hansen's self-label as a journalist may not work. He partied with other #SeditionVIPs the night before the Capitol attack; on Jan 6 got right up to the police line and onto the MPD Wanted list. Griffin's verdict means the clock is ticking for him too. 6/

https://twitter.com/capitolhunters/status/1437598197690605569

Adding on a good article by @JordanOnRecord that goes into more depth on the use of the 1752 restricted area statute (h/t @ZatZatKat). Will keep adding more as legal reporters dissect the implications of Griffin's conviction - and who might be next. 7/
wusa9.com/article/news/n…