An Ohio man is accused of bringing a massive “Trump” sign that rioters used as a “battering ram” against a line of officers guarding the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Jeffrey Newcomb, 41, faces charges of assaulting officers, obstruction, trespassing and disorderly conduct, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced in a press release.
Newcomb allegedly brought to the riots that day a 13-foot by 10-foot custom metal “Trump” sign with casters “that were about the size of a
person’s head,” court documents said.
Authorities said he can be seen in video footage carting the thing around the area near the “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House before bringing it with him to Constitution Avenue and Capitol grounds. With the help of other rioters, he allegedly carried it up the Maryland Walkway toward the Capitol building. The group then carried the sign into a mob of rioters facing off against police on the West Plaza, court documents said.
As they passed the sign toward the front of the crow, rioters cheered the sign’s arrival, authorities said. With help, the sign was passed closer and closer to the police line as Newcomb carried it by one of its large casters, court documents said. Authorities described the group using it “like a battering ram,” according to court papers.