Patrick McCaughey arrested for assaulting cop amid Trump mob

A Connecticut man has been arrested for assaulting a police officer, whom he trapped between two doors, during the January 6 riot by Trump supporters on the U.S. Capitol.

Patrick Edward McCaughey III, 23, of Ridgefield, repeated to Capitol Constable Daniel Hodges repeatedly “Come home” and “Come on, you’re gonna be crushed” as he pinned Hodges between a shield riot control that McCaughey was holding and doors, said a criminal complaint.

As McCaughey did, another rioter “began to violently tear off Agent Hodges ‘gas mask, exposing Agent Hodges’ bloody mouth,” the lawsuit filed in US District Court in Washington said. , DC.

“Don’t try to use that stick on me, boy,” McCaughey snapped at Hodges, referring to a police riot baton.

Hodges is seen on a YouTube video of the attack screaming in pain as a crowd of supporters of then President Donald Trump clashed with him, adding their weight to that of McCaughey.

McCaughey was seen leaving the Capitol later on by security cameras after hitting other cops with the riot shield, according to the complaint.

Hodges survived the attack, but another Capitol Hill policeman was beaten by other rioters elsewhere and died a day later.

Hodges later told reporters about his efforts to hold back the crowd: “If it wasn’t for my job, I would have done it for free.”

“It was absolutely my pleasure to crush a white nationalist insurgency, and we will do it as many times as we need to,” Hodges said.

McCaughey was arrested Tuesday night by FBI agents in White Plains, New York, after someone called a tip about him.

He was scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday for assaulting, resisting, or obstructing certain officers or employees; civil disorder; enter a building or a small lot; and violent entry or disorderly conduct.

McCaughey’s father, also known as Patrick, hung up on a CNBC reporter when contacted to comment on his son’s arrest.

Video of the assault on Hodges has gone viral, as have other shocking images of Trump supporters rampaging in and around Capitol Hill in their failed attempt to prevent Congress from formally confirming the election of President Joe Biden. A joint session of Congress confirmed Biden’s victory early the next morning.

“The vicious attack on Officer Hodges was heinous and essentially anti-American,” Michael Sherwin, acting district attorney for the District of Columbia, said in a statement.

“I promise that anyone involved in violent attacks on law enforcement on the United States Capitol on January 6 will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. the law itself, ”he said.

Steven D’Antuono, deputy director in charge of the FBI’s Washington field office, said: “Even after days of seeing so many shocking and gruesome scenes from the siege of the Capitol, the savage beating of the metropolitan policeman from DC Hodges is distinguished by the aggressor’s blatant disregard for human life. “

“Patrick McCaughey’s actions were violent, barbaric and totally out of control,” he added. “The FBI will relentlessly prosecute those who took part in this activity and we will continue our unwavering commitment to ensure that all those responsible for assaults on law enforcement officials are brought to justice.”

Biden was sworn in on Wednesday, hours after Trump left Washington without attending the inauguration, a highly unusual violation of presidential etiquette.

Last week, the House of Representatives impeached Trump for inciting the crowd with his speech outside the White House shortly before the attack on Capitol Hill. The Senate is expected to hold a trial to determine whether to convict Trump and, possibly, ban him for life from federal office.