The Justice Division didn’t instantly reply to a request to touch upon Gallego’s criticisms.
Greater than 700 folks have been arrested in connection to the occasions surrounding the revolt that happened almost a yr in the past. To this point, greater than 150 have pleaded responsible and dozens have been sentenced — largely for misdemeanor crimes.
A POLITICO evaluation revealed Tuesday confirmed that as of early January, solely 30 folks have been sentenced to jail for his or her position within the riots, although tons of of instances are nonetheless pending and additional investigations are ongoing.
Along with the legal professional common, Gallego directed his ire at GOP lawmakers who he accused of attempting to defend Jan. 6 rioters.
“The issue that we have now now’s that we have now a really obstructionist Republican get together that ought to be a part of serving to us resolve tips on how to save democracy as a substitute of attempting to cowl up for his or her crimes,” he stated.
Gallego stated that, a yr after the riots on the Capitol, the larger menace to democracy is much less a bodily assault than a takeover of native election administration by officers who’re extra prepared to overturn outcomes they disagree with politically.
“I believe we’re extra resilient in case of a bodily coup assault, however the identical time the continued political coup is happening,” he stated.
A Justice Division spokesperson defended their dealing with of investigations associated to the assault on the Capitol.
“We’re happy with the women and men of the Justice Division, who’re endeavor the biggest investigation within the division’s historical past. They’re following the information and the regulation and the Structure whereas working at spectacular pace and scale to carry accountable all these answerable for the assault on the Capitol, and can proceed to take action,” Anthony Coley stated in a press release.