A man from Kansas City, Missouri, who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the Jan. 6 protests at the U.S. Capitol has been granted permission to travel to Washington, D.C., for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next month.
Judge Tanya Chutkan of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., approved the request Thursday, allowing Eric Peterson, who is on bond, to move freely beyond his hometown. Peterson is awaiting sentencing, which is set for Jan. 27.
Peterson pleaded guilty to trespassing in the Capitol during the protests and has been ordered to pay $500 in restitution to the Architect of the Capitol, as reported by CNN.
Michael Bullotta, Peterson’s lawyer, suggested that the inauguration visit aligns with Trump’s prior remarks about pardoning certain Jan. 6 defendants. Bullotta told the court, “President Trump will fully pardon those in Mr. Peterson’s position on his first day in office.”
Trump has pledged to review cases involving Jan. 6 defendants. For now, Peterson has been authorized to attend the inauguration, despite being under court-ordered restrictions tied to his guilty plea.
