Maryland Man Who Allegedly Beat Officer With Bat During U.S. Capitol Riots Says He Was 'Not Here For Trump'
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- Emanuel Jackson, a Maryland man who allegedly beat a police officer with a bat during the U.S. Capitol riots, has turned himself into authorities.
According to the arrest warrant, Jackson was among the violent mob that stormed the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021.
At around 2 p.m., rioters climbed the steps of the Capitol building near the Senate wing and began to strike windows and doors. Several police officers tried to restrain the crowd, but were eventually overwhelmed.
Jackson was seen on video surveillance footage making a fist and repeatedly striking a U.S. Capitol Police officer, while he tried to enter the building. He was one of the first people to enter the building, federal authorities said.
Jackson was interviewed the day of the riot and the video was posted to Twitter.
"I had a bat. They were pepper spraying people. Then, they got me in the eye," he said.
Asked why he was there, Jackson replied, "Fighting for America. We've been taken over by globalists, by the Chinese. Fighting for America. I'm not here for Trump. I'm here for America."
He then said he didn't vote because "I thought my vote didn't count, but I learned a lesson, and I will vote next in the midterms and in other elections."
Crisis at the Capitol: Complete Coverage
He was seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a tan military-style backpack and a light blue surgical mask on his face, sometimes sitting below his chin.
Several hours later, Jackson was again spotted among the aggressive crowd assaulting police officers, He was seen striking a group of Metropolitan and U.S. Capitol police officers with a metal baseball bat, according to the warrant.
In days after the riot, police found more surveillance footage showing Jackson with the metal bat, striking other officers.
On Jan. 18, Jackson turned himself into MPD. He admitted to police that he took part in the riot and identified himself in video and photographs shown to him by police.
Jackson is the third Maryland man to be federally charged in the U.S. Capitol riots.