Charges Filed Against Marine Officer for Capitol Riot Participation

A major in the Marine Corps was arrested on Thursday for participating with supporters of former President Donald Trump in the Capitol riot on January 6, according to the Justice Department. Major Christopher Warnagiris is the first active military member to face charges related to the attack, where hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the legislative chamber, halting the session certifying Joe Biden's presidential victory from the November elections. Warnagiris, 40, has been charged with resisting law enforcement, obstructing law enforcement, and obstruction of justice. The Justice Department stated that it possesses video evidence showing Warnagiris "violently" pushing officers and forcibly entering Capitol doors with others. He is among 440 individuals charged in the department's investigation into the riot. More than a quarter of those charged have been accused of assaulting or obstructing law enforcement. Several of them, including members of anti-government groups and white supremacist organizations, face charges of violent conspiracy, and the Justice Department is believed to be considering more severe charges against them, including inciting insurrection. Prosecutors are still preparing cases, with the first trials expected to begin in June. In April, John Schaffer, a member of the Oath Keepers group believed to have participated in the attack, pleaded guilty to illegally entering the Capitol and is believed to be cooperating with an investigation into other group members. The presence of four active National Guard members and 40 veterans among those arrested in connection with the Capitol attack has prompted extensive discussions within the Pentagon regarding extremism among its ranks. The Marine Corps confirmed Warnagiris's identity in a statement indicating he served at its base in Quantico, Virginia. The statement read, "The Marine Corps is clear on this matter: there is no place for racial hatred or extremism in the Marine Corps." It added, "Our strength derives from the individual excellence of each Marine regardless of background. Bigotry and racial extremism are contrary to our core values."