Former Trump Campaign Official Jailed for Six Years Over “Shocking and Egregious” US Capitol Riot Actions

Amy LewisNov 9, 2023

Minute Read

An official who worked on Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign and went on to work at the State Department has been jailed for almost six years for his part in rioting at the US capitol in 2021.

Guilty on All Counts

Federico Klein, 45, was charged with 12 counts of criminal wrongdoing over the calamitous event and found guilty of all in July. He was sentenced on November 3 to five years and 10 months in prison although prosecutors had requested 10 years.

‘Shocking Acts’

Passing sentence on Klein, a former Marine, US District Judge Trevor McFadden said what he had done at the heart of US democracy was “shocking and egregious.”

January 6 Rioting

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The events of January 6, 2021, unfolded after then-president Donald Trump used social media to call on his supporters to protest at congressional buildings following his election loss to Joe Biden the previous November.

2020 Presidential Vote

Trump claimed he won the presidential election in 2020, giving him a second term at the White House. But official results showed he lost to Biden, and subsequent court cases filed against the result by Trump’s legal team were thrown out for lack of evidence.

‘Rigged and Stolen’

Trump insisted the 2020 election was corrupted by “rigged” votes and that the ballot was “stolen” from him, despite there being no evidence to back up his claim. Following his call to supporters to mass on the US Capitol, thousands of Trump supporters turned up at the Washington location, just as congress was meeting to confirm Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election.

Eruption of Deadly Violence

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Rioting broke out at the US Capitol after Trump supporters stormed congressional buildings and battled with security officials. Five people died in the violence and police said they arrested around 1,000 people.

Far-Right Jailing

The leader of the far-right Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, was jailed in September for 22 years for his role in helping organize the insurrection, even though he wasn’t at the Capitol on that day. Others convicted over the attack have received stiff sentences too.

Trump’s Election Indictment

President Trump is himself facing a possible prison term following an indictment earlier this year for allegedly attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and block the peaceful transfer of power to Biden. He denies the charges and says it’s nothing more than a “political witch hunt” by Democrats as he seeks the presidency in 2024.

Klein Attack Evidence

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During Klein’s trial, prosecutors showed bodycam and other footage of the defendant attacking security officers at the Capitol and also breaking open a door at the complex using a stolen shield.

Urged Attack on Police

The trial also heard how Klein — who was working as a South America expert at the State Department — encouraged other Trump supporters who had gathered at the Capitol to attack police. He was shown trying to force himself past a line of officers for over an hour.

Defense Request

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After he was found guilty of assaulting police officers and obstructing an official proceeding, Klein’s legal team tried to argue that his role in the attack on the US Capitol had been less than was portrayed in court. They therefore asked for a brief prison sentence, of just 40 days — a request rejected by Judge McFadden.

‘Guilt by Association’

Defense lawyer Stanley Woodward had suggested to the court that the prosecution was seeking to punish his client due to his association with Trump.

“Accordingly, Mr. Klein should be sentenced for his actual role in the events of the day, and not the more egregious conduct of others with which the government would have Mr. Klein be found guilty by association,” he said.

‘Betrayed Country’

Prosecutors said in filings to the court that Klein had effectively betrayed the country.

“As an employee of the federal government, Klein was endowed with the trust of the American people and to uphold the law. He violated that trust on January 6 when he attacked the very country for which he was paid to work,” they said.

Fine and Restitution

Along with his prison term, the starting date for which has not yet been released, Klein was fined $3,000 and ordered to pay $2,200 in restitution.

Helping Trump

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Klein worked on Trump’s 2016 campaign for the presidency, which Trump won against Hillary Clinton. When Trump failed to be re-elected in the 2020 election, Klein took leave from the State Department to help Trump’s team investigate what they claimed was voter fraud that led to Trump’s loss, but did not gather any evidence.