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Laptop stolen from Nancy Pelosi’s office during Trump riot, says aide

President’s supporters pictured inside lawmaker’s office during mayhem

Graeme Massie
Los Angeles
Friday 08 January 2021 14:10 EST
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Eyewitness account: Pro-Trump rioters storm US Capitol building

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A laptop computer was stolen from Nancy Pelosi’s Capitol Building office during the Trump riot, says an aide.

Donald Trump’s supporters were pictured inside the House Speaker’s office and one even sat with his feet up on her desk after they violently stormed the Capitol.

Richard Barnett, the Arkansas supporter of Mr Trump pictured at Ms Pelosi’s desk, was arrested and charged with entering and remaining on restricting grounds, violent entry, and theft of public property, according to NBC News.

Barnett, 60, of Gravette, Arkansas, had boasted that he took a personalised envelope from Ms Pelosi’s desk and left her a quarter and a “nasty note.”

Ms Pelosi’s aide confirmed that the laptop, which belonged to a conference room and was used for presentations, was taken in the mayhem, according to CNBC. 

House Majority Whip James Clyburn also had his iPad stolen, says NBC News.

Mr Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday shortly after Mr Trump gave an incendiary speech outside the White House.

Thousands of pro-Trump activists broke into the building, vandalised property and threatened lawmakers, who had to be protected by armed security.

The rioters managed to initially prevent the certification of the electoral college votes, but when the building was re-taken by law enforcement the House and Senate returned to confirm Joe Biden’s victory.

US Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick was killed in the violence, one woman was shot dead inside the Capitol, and three others died of “medical emergencies” during the shameful events.

Mr Trump infamously initially refused to call in the National Guard and later released a video in which he told the rioters, “we love you.”

He later put out a second video a day later in which he finally condemned the violence but falsely claimed he “immediately” sent in the Guard.

Mr Trump’s supporters even “defecated’ inside the Capitol Building before tracking it around the offices of lawmakers.

The outgoing president’s rioters smeared “their extremist excrement around the building,” said sources in Senator Chuck Schumer’s office.

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