A former Trump State Department political appointee appeared in Washington, DC, federal court Friday after being charged for pushing against police in the Capitol building during the January 6 insurrection.
Federico Klein, who lives in the DC area and who goes by Freddie, is the first known Trump administration political appointee to be arrested for taking part in the siege. Federal authorities noted Klein, who is also a former Trump campaign aide, held a top secret-level security clearance at the time of the riot and resigned from the State Department at the end of the administration. Investigators found several images of Klein in the riot allegedly using a police riot shield to wedge open an entrance for rioters and fighting against a police line for several minutes, according to his arrest affidavit. Klein wore a red « Make America Great Again » hat then changed into a « United States Marine Corps » hat during the riot, investigators say. RELATED: House impeachment manager Eric Swalwell sues Trump and close allies over Capitol riot in second major insurrection lawsuit Klein is charged with six criminal counts, including assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon, violently entering the Capitol grounds and obstructing law enforcement and Congress. Around 300 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the siege. He will be held in jail at least until March 9, when a longer hearing will take place for the judge to hear prosecutors’ arguments to keep him detained and Klein’s responses through his lawyers.
