Thread by @capitolhunters

#SeditionHunters - it seems the Proud Boys are flipping. One of the "big four", ex-Marine Charles Donohoe (#YutYutPB), who led over 200 Proud Boys to the Capitol, is copping a plea - see article. Here's Donohoe and the Proud Boys shortly before the rush of the NW Scaffolds. 1/

https://twitter.com/alanfeuer/status/1512415622692577291

Here's Donohoe entering the scaffolds, just behind Pezzola (#Spazzo) who soon after broke the first window to set off the Capitol invasion. The other Florida Proud Boys who helped break the police lines have peeled off to the side and are skipping the action - typical for PBs. 2/

Unlike the rest of the "Big 4" of the Proud Boys leadership, Donohoe never entered the Capitol building. He ranks with them, but he bailed out of the scaffolds fight, then stood around on the lawn and never re-entered. So why is he flipping now? 3/

https://twitter.com/capitolhunters/status/1491125803572408320

Donohoe (#YutYutPB) has unique legal exposure among the PB leaders. He got impatient on the Plaza, threw a water bottle at officers - a violent felony. Found by @creek_twit in the newly-released LA Times footage - no other video shows this as clearly. Video changes everything. 4/

You can watch Donohoe's assault at link below: go-pro footage from LA Times' @kentnish. The video is amazing but it's not complete - what other game-changing moments might be happening in its gaps? 5/

The PB annotations here are by @ne0ndistraction and @TweedleRiot; the PBs were inventoried, hashtagged, and IDd by groups of dozens of volunteers. As of today, 47 of the 235 hashtagged PBs have been arrested. (bit.ly/CapitolPBTable). No wonder DOJ is hiring more prosecutors. 6/

Donohoe's statement of offense shows the DOJ's care and competence. Donohoe clearly admits to: advance planning and coordination, direction from above, intent to block vote certification, expecting violence, understanding it was illegal. Read thread. 7/

https://twitter.com/emptywheel/status/1512461973161656321

Donohoe's statement of offense confirms what we'd inferred from other sources: that the go-ahead decision for the attack was made late on the night of Dec. 18th, and practical planning started immediately afterwards. 8/
documentcloud.org/documents/2158…

The lead-up to Jan 6 was long, and someone had been envisioning the attack earlier - but the wheels turned quickly after Dec. 18 and whatever was decided then. 9/

https://twitter.com/capitolhunters/status/1488998122319597570

The Proud Boys ascent from a drinking-and-fighting club to something darker, stranger has been charted by many reporters. Here's Jordan Green from summer 2020 on Donohoe (#YutYutPB) helping arrange a joint Proud Boys-QAnon event. 10/
rawstory.com/2020/08/a-far-…