Capitol rioters ‘proudly take responsibility’ for it and are furious over claims that it was ‘Antifa’

While various politicians tried to blame the January 6 attack at the US Capitol as the work of “Antifa”, it turns out some of the rioters themselves are not too happy about this.

As the Huffington Post first reported Tuesday, some people awaiting trial for their alleged roles in the riot are going on social media to take credit.

“It was not Antifa at the Capitol,” Brandon Straka, a ‘Stop the Steal’ organiser, wrote on Twitter according to HuffPost reporter Ryan J Reilly.

“It was freedom-loving Patriots who were DESPERATE to fight for the final hope of our Republic because literally, nobody cares about them. Everyone else can denounce them. I will not.”

Another alleged rioter, Jonathan Mellis, wrote on Facebook: “Don’t you dare try to tell me that people are blaming this on Antifa and BLM”.

He added: “We proudly take responsibility for storming the Castle… We are fighting for election integrity. They heard us,” according to the HuffPost. Others awaiting trial made similar statements, making sure they got the credit.

Trump supporters, his lawyers, and even Trump himself – who said he would designate the umbrella term as a ‘terrorist organisation’ last year – need to get their story straight on ‘Antifa’. The term, which simply means anti-facist, has lately been used as a scapegoat among rightwing politicians and activists.

Just a few days ago, Trump’s impeachment lawyers tried to make the case that it was a “preposterous and monstrous lie” to say Trump had incited the Capitol violence that left five people dead. Instead, they claimed that the attack in DC could be blamed on extremists, including “a leader of Antifa.”

Republican Representative from Florida and Trump apologist Matt Gaetz also pointed the finger at “Antifa” who he suggested may have secretly infiltrated the group of rioters. It seems all the Trump supporters need to get together and pick a story to stick to.

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