Violent Protesters Can Face Sedition Charge, U.S. Top Prosecutor Says
- Proof of plotting to overthrow U.S. not required, memo asserts
- Attorney General Barr, Trump have condemned violent protests
Jeffrey Rosen
Photographer: Andrew Harrer/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Federal prosecutors should consider charging violent protesters under a criminal sedition law, which doesn’t require proof that they were plotting to overthrow the government, the Justice Department said in a memo on Thursday.
The federal statute governing sedition charges applies to other acts, including preventing law enforcement officers from carrying out their duties and forcibly taking property belonging to the government, according to the memo issued by Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen.