Supreme Court Declines to Shield Identities of Police Who Attended Jan. 6 Capitol Rally

The Washington Supreme Court ruled in February that the officers do not have a right to remain anonymous.

The U.S. Supreme Court on June 4 declined to shield the identities of police officers fighting a public records request for information about their attendance at the Jan. 6, 2021, rally at the U.S. Capitol.

The new ruling came after the Washington Supreme Court ruled in February that the Seattle officers do not have a right to remain anonymous.

No justices dissented in the high courtโ€™s ruling in John Does 1, 2, 4, and 5 v. Seattle Police Department. Justice Samuel Alito attached a statement explaining his reasoning, and Justice Clarence Thomas joined the statement.

The four unidentified current and former Seattle law enforcement officers attended President Donald Trumpโ€™s rally and speech at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. They said they did not participate in the civil unrest that followed.

They also say they were investigated and cleared of wrongdoing.

The officers argue that including their names in court records would infringe their First Amendment rights and chill their ability to express political opinions.

Seattle officials have claimed that the rally was โ€œfor fascists and white supremacists,โ€ and โ€œhave attempted to paint guilt by association, wondering aloud on the purpose for [the officersโ€™] attendance at the rally, obviously insinuating they are tied to right wing extremists,โ€ the officersโ€™ application stated.

The application said that after the security breach at the Capitol in 2021, the Seattle Police Department ordered any police officers who attended the rally to report they attended and be investigated by the Office of Police Accountability (OPA).

After the four officers reported their presence at the rally, each one received a complaint from the OPA โ€œalleging a possible violation of the law and [Seattle Police Department] policies by โ€˜trespassing on Federal property and/or participating in the planning and/or forced illegal entry of the U.S. Capitol Building that day,โ€™โ€ according to the application.

The investigation went beyond mere attendance at the rally and probed why they attended as well as โ€œtheir political affiliations,โ€ the application said.

Byย Matthew Vadum

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

โ€˜This One Time, at Groomer Campโ€™

All Camp Brave Trails programs focus on helping LGBTQ+ youth find what they need most to thrive: their people, their place, and their passion.

Why Recognizing a Palestinian State Now Undermines U.S. Interestsย 

A recent American Conservativeย article suggests President Trump recognize a Palestinian state, but this would undermine the interests of the United States.

Harvardโ€™s China Ties Under Scrutiny as US Targets Student Visas

Following Trump adminโ€™s action to vet Chinese nationals studying in US for ties to the CCP, Harvard's involvement with Beijing has come to the fore.

The Russian-Ukrainian Talks Are At An Impasse That Only The US Or Brute Force Can Break

The second round of Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul resulted in no progress and talks are at an impasse that only the US or brute force can break.

Airline Crews Say DEI Persists, Despite Safety Concerns and Trump Orders

During a 2024 conversation, a flight instructor described an โ€œegregiousโ€ example of standards apparently being relaxed to meet DEI goals.

News

Judge Requires Trump Admin to Provide Due Process for Deportees in El Salvador Prison

Boasberg ordered Trump admin to provide habeas relief for individuals it deported and are held in Salvadoran maximum security prison.

New Nebraska Law Classifies School Sports Teams by Sex

NE Gov. Pillen signed new law requiring students to play on sports teams based on their sex, allowing women and girls to fairly compete in sports.

ICE Arrests 72 Illegal Immigrants at South Carolina Nightclub Linked to Mexican Cartel

ICE arrested 72 illegal immigrants, including six minors, at a nightclub run by an alleged member of the Los Zetas cartel in South Carolina.

Federal Judge Halts Deportation of Boulder Firebombing Suspectโ€™s Family

A federal judge on June 4 issued an order to prevent the deportation of family members of a man charged in the firebombing attack in Boulder, CO.

Education Department Says Columbia University Fails to Meet Accreditation Standards

DOE said Columbia violated federal civil rights law thus failing to meet accreditation standards amid allegations of discrimination against Jewish students on campus.

Trump Demands Lower Rates After Weak ADP Jobs Dataโ€”Will the Fed Budge?

President Donald Trump on June 4 repeated his demand for Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates.

Moderna Will Conduct โ€˜True Placebo-Controlled Trialโ€™ of New COVID Vaccine: RFK Jr.

Moderna will carry out placebo-controlled trial of its new COVID-19 vaccine, and U.S. regulators will keep tabs on trial, Health Sec. RFK, Jr. said.

Nevada Reaches Bipartisan Deal on Election Reform Bill, Including Voter ID and Ballot Drop Boxes

NV lawmakers reached agreement on voting reforms, combining Rep-backed voter ID requirements with Dem-supported expansion of ballot drop boxes.
spot_img

Related Articles