Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling vowed Thursday to prosecute anyone from Massachusetts who participated in yesterday's assault on the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C.
In a statement, Lelling called the attack on the nation’s capital “shocking” and “criminal” and said that “anyone who traveled from Massachusetts with the intent to commit such crimes” will be prosecuted.
Lelling, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, is one of several U.S. attorneys, appointed by both Republican and Democratic adminsitrations, to publicly condemn Wednesday’s violence.
But Lelling’s comments condemning Wednesday’s violence came noticeably later, and were noticeably sparser, than many such statements. He made no specific reference to the individuals, self-proclaimed supporters of Trump, involved in the violent attack and said that “Americans on the right and left must re-learn the difference” between free speech and violence.
Lelling also stopped short of attributing blame to or otherwise criticizing Trump, as many other Massachusetts elected leaders have.
Lelling’s statement did indicate not whether his office is currently aware of or investigating potential criminal conduct by any Massachusetts residents.
A Republican-appointed U.S. Attorney based in the largely blue state of Massachusetts and the heavily Democratic city of Boston, Lelling has stayed away from criticism of, and legal action against, the White House by other U.S. attorneys, as well as Massachusetts elected officials, over policies ranging from immigration restrictions to the U.S. census to firearms laws.
But Lelling has not always stayed away from hot button issues, including his controversial decision to charge a Massachusetts district judge, Shelly Joseph, with allegedly helping an immigrant facing potential deportation evade apprehension by federal immigration officials.
