Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

New video shows Capitol rioter frothing at the mouth

The former Tennessee National Guard officer was denied pretrial release in May

Josh Marcus
San Francisco
Monday 20 September 2021 19:37 EDT
Comments
FBI director testifies about US Capitol riot

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Newly released video shows an accused 6 January Capitol riot suspect literally foaming at the mouth with anger as he berates officers guarding Congress, calling them “cowards.”

In the police body camera clip, Joseph Lino Padilla, a former Tennessee national guardsmen, can be seen in a scuba mask as he hurls insults at the Metropolitan Police Department officers manning the barricades outside the Capitol steps.

"You’re f***ing defending a machine that doesn’t even f***ing care about you," Mr Padilla says. "But if you let us in there, that machine will be gone, and we will f***ing protect you. You’re being a moral coward. You are a moral coward. You know what you’re doing is wrong."

Pictures show him appearing to froth at the mouth as he shouts.

US Capitol riot suspect Joseph Padilla yells at police outside the Capitol on 6 January, 2021
US Capitol riot suspect Joseph Padilla yells at police outside the Capitol on 6 January, 2021 (WTVC screengrab)

He was arrested earlier this year on six Capitol riot-related charges, including assaulting law enforcement officers with a dangerous or deadly weapon. Video evidence uncovered by prosecutors allegedly shows Mr Padilla throwing a flagpole at police.

Mr Padilla, a stay-at-home father, allegedly spent the months leading up to the 6 January riot becoming indoctrinated with alt-right ideas and a “Q-Anon mentality,” according to court documents.

Social media video captured him allegedly exhorting fellow rioters to “Push! F***ing push!” against barricades around the Capitol. Later, he was allegedly filmed throwing a flag pole at police officers and using a giant metal Trump sign as a “battering ram.”

After the insurrection was over, Mr Padilla allegedly posted about his exploits on Facebook and a Donald Trump message board, according to prosecutors.

“I was right there,” he reportedly wrote in one post. “I have the wounds to prove it. I pushed the rails, I pushed the stairs, and then pushed the doorway. I was beaten unconscious twice, sprayed more times than I care to count, received strikes from batons that should have been lethal (Multiple temple and carotid strikes) except that God was on my side.”

Eventually, an anonymous tipster alerted the FBI to the videos of the riot allegedly captured Mr Padilla, and he was arrested in February.

The 40-year-old, of Cleveland, Tennessee, was honourably discharged from the Tennessee National Guard in 2012.

Prosecutors have argued his military service makes his alleged crimes even more serious because he ‘knew that what occurred on January 6th was totally unacceptable,” the said earlier this year, adding, “He previously swore an oath to defend the country from all enemies foreign and domestic.

He was denied pretrial release in May.

"This Court is hard-pressed to believe that its orders would deter future acts of violence by Padilla when he was undeterred — and seemingly invigorated by — what he says transpired on January 6," federal judge John D Bates wrote in his ruling.

The Independent has reached out to Mr Padilla’s lawyer for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in