The Capitol-Riot Trial of Nathan Earl Hughes
The trial of Nathan Earl Hughes, a Bentonville man accused of participating in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, is set to begin Tuesday in federal court in Washington, D.C. Hughes, 34, faces multiple charges related to his actions during the riot, including two felonies and three misdemeanors.
According to court records and witness statements, Hughes was involved in several confrontations with law enforcement officers. He allegedly grabbed at officers’ riot shields and attempted to take them away, striking one officer with his elbow. After being pushed out of a Capitol tunnel, Hughes encouraged others to continue the disturbance, shouting “Pull them out!”
Hughes’ trial has faced delays, with the original start date pushed back from July 15 to July 29. The trial was delayed again, with a judge ruling that it would begin either on July 29 or August 12. The trial is a significant event, as it marks one of the many cases related to the January 6 riot.
The January 6 riot was sparked by a speech and rally by then-President Donald Trump near the Capitol, protesting the election victory of President-elect Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. The event saw violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement, leading to numerous arrests and charges, including those faced by Hughes.
Hughes’ co-defendants have already faced consequences, with three of them receiving prison sentences ranging from six to 18 months after pleading guilty to interfering with police officers during a civil disorder. Another co-defendant, actor Jay Johnston, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 7 after pleading guilty to civil disorder.
As the trial begins, the court will scrutinize the evidence against Hughes and examine the role he played in the Capitol riot. The outcome of the trial will likely have significant implications for Hughes and, more broadly, for the ongoing legal proceedings related to the January 6, 2021, events.
