Florida man charged with plotting attack on Trump supporters
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida man accused of trying to organize an armed response to supporters of former President Donald Trump for their expected gathering last month at the state Capitol has been indicted on federal charges. The FBI arrested Baker on Jan. 15 at his Tallahassee home. AdThe pro-Trump protests expected for Tallahassee on Jan. 17 ultimately didn't materialize, although news outlets reported dozens of law enforcement officers were in the area. Baker was kicked out of the Army in 2007 after going AWOL before being deployed to Iraq, according to authorities. Call all of your friends and Rise Up!” Baker wrote on a Facebook event page he created, according to the affidavit.
Man charged in plot to confront Capitol protesters asks to go free
The FBI arrested Daniel Baker last week after authorities say he circulated a flyer on and offline calling for right-wing protesters to be trapped inside the Capitol. RELATED: Florida man accused in plot to confront Capitol protesters“He’s just a joy to be around,” said Suzanna Matthews, Baker’s landlord. “He’s bright, he’s energetic, he’s an entrepreneur. “The FBI themselves were warning about this and I think he took the FBI warning seriously and I think he was just trying to protect his neighbors,” Champagne said. Baker’s public defender acknowledged Baker could be shaky but said he would benefit from mental health treatment if released.
Gov. DeSantis activates Florida National Guard to prepare for possible unrest
Ron DeSantis on Friday evening activated the Florida National Guard to assist state and local law enforcement agencies, following FBI warnings of potentially violent protests in state capitals this weekend in advance of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. The governor’s executive order mobilizing the guard was issued “in response to reports of potential civil unrest,” DeSantis’ office said in a press release. It also came as authorities in Washington, D.C., Tallahassee and other state capitals prepare for potential protests this weekend or early next week. Local officials on Thursday ordered Tallahassee City Hall and the Leon County Courthouse, which are each across the street from the state Capitol, to close Tuesday and Wednesday in anticipation of possible protests. Asking DeSantis to mobilize troops in Tallahassee, Dailey on Friday pointed to National Guard members who will be in Washington to help with the inauguration.
Florida man accused in plot to confront Capitol protesters
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Tallahassee man of plotting to “violently confront protesters” at the Florida Capitol on Sunday appeared before a federal magistrate Friday afternoon, on several charges including making threats to kidnap or injure. The affidavit contains screenshots of Baker’s online activity, it appears all of his social media accounts have been removed, except for his youtube page, which contains videos condemning police, President Donald Trump and even President-elect Joe Biden. Ron DeSantis call in the Florida National Guard to help protect the Capitol. Florida State University and Florida A&M University have also indicated they will increase police presence on campus next week. The FBI has been aware of Baker’s social media threats since October, according to court documents.
The Latest: Azar condemns Capitol riot in resignation letter
Security surrounds the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Azar says he will resign at noon on Jan. 20, when President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in. TSA is also providing officers to help the Secret Service screen people along the parade route and attending Biden’s inauguration Wednesday. Pence’s call comes less than a week before President-elect Joe Biden and Harris are set to take office. President Donald Trump hasn’t reached out to Biden and has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of Biden’s win.