Giuliani has zeroed in on self-described leftist activist John Earle Sullivan of Utah, who was charged in federal court docket Thursday on three counts associated to the Capitol riot, and has argued that the presence and statements of Sullivan and different unidentified rioters point out that the storming was pushed by forces against Trump.
“We’ve got individuals who invaded like Mr. Sullivan and his apparently Black Lives Matter directed group of rioters and looters and no matter else they’re,” Giuliani stated in a Thursday episode of his podcast titled “One other FRAME UP.”
He additionally claimed that the riot was one thing “that the President had nothing to do with.”
Within the now-removed Tweet, Giuliani included a screenshot of a textual content purportedly from Sullivan’s brother James through which the sender claimed to be working with the FBI “to reveal and place whole blame on John” and greater than 200 members of Antifa.
Neither Giuliani nor James Sullivan have produced proof to assist the declare that Antifa was concerned within the January 6 riot. Federal legislation enforcement officers have stated they’ve discovered no proof suggesting Antifa performed a major function within the rebellion.
John Sullivan and his brother James seem like on reverse ends of the political spectrum.
James Sullivan declined remark.
Neither John Sullivan nor the legal professional representing him on the costs stemming from the Capitol siege may very well be reached for remark Friday night. Legal professional Peter Kern, who represents Sullivan in a separate legal case filed this summer time in Utah declined to characterize any political affiliations Sullivan might have.
Throughout the siege, John Sullivan recorded the mayhem and offered commentary on what was occurring. He was charged with disorderly conduct, interfering with legislation enforcement, and knowingly getting into or remaining in a restricted constructing, in response to a legal criticism. He was taken into custody in Utah, the place he lives.
Based on the criticism, Sullivan advised the FBI he was an activist and journalist who filmed protests and riots, “however admitted that he didn’t have any press credentials.” He advised brokers he was sporting a ballistic vest and gasoline masks and entered the constructing by means of a damaged window, the affidavit states. Whereas standing outdoors the Capitol constructing earlier than getting into, he proclaimed, “Let’s burn this sh*t down.”
As soon as inside, he could be heard on audio arguing with police and telling them to face down or that they could get harm, in response to the affidavit.
“You’re placing your self in hurt’s method,” he allegedly advised officers. “The individuals have spoken.” The arrest affidavit additionally says that as a crowd tried to open doorways to 1 a part of the Capitol, Sullivan could be heard on the video saying, “Hey guys, I’ve a knife. I’ve a knife. Let me up.”
When requested about among the issues he stated throughout a 40-minute video he recorded of the incident, he stated, “Once you’re in an enormous crowd like that, it’s a must to mix in.”
That case is pending, on-line court docket information present. Kern stated Sullivan’s arraignment had been postponed and he had but to enter a plea.
“We [expletive] about to burn this [expletive] down,” he advised the group. “We obtained to tear Trump proper out of that workplace over there.”
He then led the group in a chant of, “It is time for a revolution.”
Within the aftermath of final week’s siege on the capitol, Sullivan appeared on CNN’s AC360 and ABC’s Good Morning America, commenting on dramatic footage he shot contained in the Capitol.
“On no account am I there on the Trump facet or the Biden facet,” he advised Anderson Cooper.
