Capitol Rioter 'Camp Auschwitz' Hoodie Guy Busted Released without Bond

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UPDATE

11:16 AM PT -- Packer has been released on his own recognizance following his arrest by the FBI. Although he was not required to pay a bond, he was ordered to stay away from Washington. He's scheduled to attend a virtual hearing in a D.C. court later this month.

The guy who authorities say was the one wearing a "Camp Auschwitz" hoodie during the Capitol riots has been arrested ... TMZ has confirmed

Robert Keith Packer was busted Wednesday morning in Newport News, VA and he's been charged with knowingly entering restricted grounds and disorderly conduct. He'd already drawn outrage for his hoodie, flippantly referencing the Nazi concentration camp where more than 1 million Jews were killed during World War II.

As if that wasn't disturbing enough ... the back of the hoodie also had the word "Staff" emblazoned on it. The bottom of his hoodie had the words, "Work brings freedom" ... a rough translation of "Arbeit macht frei" ... words inscribed on the concentration camp gates.

This apparently is not the first time Packer's run into trouble with the law. According to CNN, Packer's criminal history includes 3 convictions for driving under the influence and a felony conviction for forging public records.

The authorities say Parker was among hundreds who stormed the Capitol in a failed coup last week.

Originally published -- 9:19 AM PT

AOC on Capitol Riot Death Was Upon Us & Me ... Details Close Encounter

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"I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE"

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says she could feel death breathing down on her last week as Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, searching for lawmakers ... and you can tell she's still shaken.

AOC's revealing she had an incredibly close encounter on Jan. 6, which had her seriously feeling like she would die right then and there. The New York Congresswoman said it point-blank during an IG live session Tuesday night -- she honestly didn't know if she'd make it out of there alive that day, something she says a lot of her colleagues also experienced first-hand.

As for what exactly happened to her, AOC says she can't disclose the full details for security concerns ... but says, rest assured -- it was very traumatizing all the same.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Makes sense that she wouldn't get into the nitty-gritty -- fact is, there are said to be secret hideaways and chambers in the Capitol for emergencies like the one that took place ... and she's got a duty to keep that stuff private for future safety.

Nonetheless, AOC says she had that life flashing before her eyes experience, and it sounds as surreal as you'd imagine.

BTW, the Representative here goes IN on GOPers who continued to sow doubt about the election results ... even AFTER the siege. She has choice words for those folks about what lies ahead.

Capitol Riots Exhausted National Guard Sleep on Capitol Floor ... Weapons by Their Side

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This is one where the image tells the whole story ... members of the National Guard protecting the Capitol trying to get some much-needed sleep, using a cold, marble floor as a bed.

It's the embodiment of the phrase, "No rest for the weary." The Guard is protecting the building in the wake of hundreds of threats ... some vowing to murder members of Congress, as well as others.

With their weapons by their side, these guardsmen and guardswomen know how fragile the peace is, and despite enormous security surrounding the building, there is an ongoing, immediate threat ... and President Trump has done nothing to lower the temperature. It's undeniable he's the one who has turned up the heat.

As we reported, the insurrectionists have vowed to stage protests in all 50 state capitals as well as the United States Capitol, and many have promised violence.

Donald Trump I Ain't at Risk of 25th amendment ... But Biden Sure Will Be!!!

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UPDATE

1:31 PM PT -- President Trump insists he's in no danger of being removed early from office, saying the 25th Amendment doesn't apply to him, but will come into play for his successor -- a shady jab at Biden's age.

UPDATE

DT made his remarks Tuesday at the border wall in Texas, where he said the 25th Amendment is "of no risk to me," but will "come back to haunt Joe Biden and the Biden administration." He didn't elaborate, but Trump's repeatedly accused Biden of losing his faculties ... so, it seems pretty clear what he's insinuating.

UPDATE

Trump also addressed the looming article of impeachment that's expected to be voted on this week, calling it a continuation of the "witch hunt" against him. He also says it's stoking the flames of divisiveness ... which he calls a dangerous prospect at this "tender time."

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MY HANDS ARE CLEAN

President Trump says he is washing his hands of all responsibility for the Capitol Hill insurrections, saying what he told the crowd pre-riot was "totally appropriate."

Trump was leaving D.C. Tuesday for Alamo, Texas to brag about the border wall, when he was asked about his responsibility for last week's uprising.

Trump not only claimed his words were appropriate, he tried to deflect by saying the "riots" in Portland and Seattle were far worse, and in those cases, the politicians who supported the protests were the incendiary ones.

So, Trump thinks saying things like January 6 is going to be "wild," was not a dog whistle. And, apparently, he thinks what he told the crowd a week ago was innocent ... things like, "You'll never take back our country with weakness, you have to show strength and you have to be strong." He went on, "if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore."

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"SHOW STRENGTH AND BE STRONG"

By the way ... if he thinks everyone believes he acted appropriately, he's clearly ignoring Congress because he's about to get impeached.

Originally Published -- 10:50 AM PT

Senator Chuck Schumer Trumper Screams at Him ... She Was 'Sexually Excited' By Riot

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Senator Chuck Schumer just said Donald Trump sounds exactly like a dictator, but his words were drowned out by a crazy protester who threatened that Trumpers are going to his home and Pelosi's to take care of business.

The woman was off the rails, screaming she and her flock would descend on Pelosi's home to destroy her vineyards. She compared Schumer to Hitler, ranting as she said she fully supports the insurrectionists. She says she was "sexually excited" to see Schumer and other Democrats flee from the riot.

And, she said this ... "As long as there's outrage and unrest in our hearts, there's gonna be unrest in these streets."

Schumer wants all of the rioters placed on the no-fly list ... presumably, so many of them cannot return to D.C. for the inauguration.

As we reported, there was a meeting with members of Congress Monday night where they were told the rioters are coming back to D.C. with a vengeance ... creating a perimeter around the Capitol on Inauguration Day where they were planning on blocking and even shoot Democrats.

Schumer also responded to Trump saying his words to the rioters were "appropriate," saying, it's a "pathological technique used by the worst of dictators."

Rep. Tim Ryan 'F****** Livid' Over Capitol Storming ... Better Be Safe Next Week!!!

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Congressman Tim Ryan isn't mincing words over the coup attempt -- he was "f****** livid" when the mob stormed the Capitol, because law enforcement assured Congress it would be safe.

The U.S. Rep. from Ohio joined us on "TMZ Live" Tuesday and told us why there's no excuse for the lack of security during the insurrection ... he says security forces should've been prepared for the worst, and now Congress needs to get to the bottom of what went wrong.

Tim says he's glad to see more boots on the ground in D.C. this week as the National Guard is mobilizing at least 10,000 troops ahead of next week's inauguration ... the sort of move he would've liked to have seen before the riot.

As we told you ... Congress was just briefed on the 7 main groups of extremists organizing to descend on the Capitol for Joe Biden's inauguration and the days leading up to it.

While Rep. Ryan says last week's outcome was an epic fail, he seems confident Congress will be better protected moving forward.

Inauguration Fears Members of Congress Briefed ... Trump's the Glue Holding Extremists Together

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There are 7 main groups of extremists that are organizing to descend on Washington D.C. for the Inauguration, and Capitol Police officials told Congress Monday night they all have one thing in common ... their allegiance to Donald Trump.

Congressional sources who were present late Monday for a security briefing tell TMZ ... the members were told these extremist groups, including the Proud Boys, have either a loose or no real connection to each other, especially since it's increasingly hard for them to go back and forth with each other on social media because of the various blackouts. Trump, they were told, is the glue that will hold these groups together once they assemble in D.C.

The Capitol Police and the Sergeant at Arms ran the meeting, and told members that security at the Inauguration will include metal detectors and even members of Congress must pass through. The officials running the meeting said they can't take anything for granted, especially given that there seems to be a small QAnon faction that presents a danger.

The meeting was frightening ... there was talk that the extremists might target Democrats for murder so the Republicans could take over Congress.

Our sources say the members have all been told they can get security for themselves if there is a "direct threat" to them, and that's already the case with many members of Congress.

There's something else ... D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has urged the public to stay away from the Inauguration. As a result, the members were informed there's an assumption the majority of the crowd could be comprised of these extremists. The silver lining ... they will be easier to ID. As one member told TMZ, "at least we will know who they are."

The good news ... during the meeting the Capitol Police told the members there will be tens of thousands of law enforcement protecting the event, including the National Guard, Secret Service, local police and others. The Secret Service will be the lead agency.

Dept. of Homeland Security $1.6m for Hawaii Bad Asses Protect D.C. Through Inauguration!!!

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Uncle Sam is looking far and wide for some of the best muscle money can buy to help guard the nation's capital through Joe Biden's inauguration -- and it looks the feds found some ... in the Aloha State.

TMZ has obtained federal procurement docs that show the Dept. of Homeland Security recently awarded a private security company called Hana Industries Inc. a $1.6 million contract for protective services, effective now until the very end of the month.

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CAPITOL CLASH

According to the paperwork ... Hana's protective security officers will be standing watch in the capital and surrounding areas. The move to hire this force came directly on the heels of the failed Capitol coup -- the contract was awarded 2 days after last week's siege.

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RUTHLESS CHAOS

Now, as for what Hana's all about and why the feds sought out their services -- they tout themselves as providing armed security guards for base security operations and entry point management. Specifically, they've protected Naval bases and shipyards around Hawaii.

Appropriately, Hana's been recruiting to get more boots on the ground, as they say, in the D.C. area -- especially anyone with 2 to 5 years of military or law enforcement experience ... and prior certification from the Dept. of Homeland Security.

Getting immediate support for National Guard and police forces in Washington, D.C. was crucial -- as the FBI's now warning domestic terrorists are planning to take action in DC and all 50 states between Jan. 16 through Inauguration Day.

Buckle up.

Capitol Police Two Officers Suspended ... Yukked It Up with Rioters

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Two Capitol Police officers are being temporarily relieved of duty after they were caught getting super chummy with rioters who stormed the building.

Rep. Tim Ryan made the announcement Monday, saying at least 2 cops who were on duty last Wednesday have been suspended for actions documented during the siege. Of the 2 -- who have yet to be identified -- one was apparently wearing a MAGA hat and directing insurrectionists on Capitol grounds ... the other took selfies with these folks.

The latter appears to have been captured on video ... a viral clip from that day has surfaced, and it shows a Capitol officer in a yellow vest and a black cap pausing to pose for a photo with one of the insurrectionists.

During a presser Monday, Rep. Ryan reportedly said Capitol Police are looking at everybody at this point ... including men and women in their own ranks.

As we first reported, the FBI believes there are signs of an inside job, and is investigating whether Capitol PD officers or civilian employees in the Capitol aided the rioters in any way.

TMZ also broke the story ... there could've been 4 times as many cops on hand Wednesday, and there probably should've been, considering the looming threats of violence ahead of the siege.

Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund resigned as a result of the backlash he and his department have faced for a poor show of force and for letting things get out of hand.

U.S. State Dept. Official Site Said ... Trump's Term Over Mon. Night

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The State Department appears to be cutting short President Trump's time in office -- its official site briefly said he's out as POTUS starting Monday night.

On Trump's official page, the U.S. DOS had the following listed under his bio in bold, "Donald J. Trump's term ended on 2021-01-11 19:40:41." Some folks have said the time stamp changed by at least 15 minutes -- but it's less about the time and more about that date.

The message which appeared to be breaking some huge news ... vanished early in the afternoon Monday. It's unclear how long it was there before someone, presumable at the State Dept., removed it.

The bizarre message extended to Mike Pence as well ... his State Dept. page also said his term ended on Monday night, and also has since been removed -- but there's been no official word from the White House either confirming or denying this is true.

There are reports this was all a prank pulled off by a disgruntled State Dept. staffer. Still, it's drawing a lot of attention, especially because there's reportedly a lot of helicopter activity over Pence's residence.

If it's just a federal employee gone rogue ... it speaks to the temperature in D.C. right now. Think about it, for someone to risk their job (and perhaps worse) to make this statement ... might indicate they felt they could get away with it because Trump's lost so many allies in the nation's capital.

Of course, assuming it isn't real ... Trump still has possible impeachment to worry about -- Speaker Pelosi is said to be introducing articles this week.

We've reached to the White House and State Dept. about the curious bio pages ... so far, no word back.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman I Got COVID After Capitol Riots!!!

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Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman has tested positive for COVID-19, and she's squarely blaming fellow lawmakers who refused to wear masks while they were sheltering in place during the Capitol attack.

The Congresswoman from New Jersey announced her diagnosis Monday ... linking the positive test to last week's events that forced her to take refuge with other lawmakers in the Capitol Building. She tweeted, "Following the events of Wednesday, including sheltering with several colleagues who refused to wear masks, I decided to take a Covid test."

The 75-year-old lawmaker added, "I received a positive test result for COVID-19, and am home resting at this time. While I am experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, I remain in good spirits and will continue to work on behalf of my constituents.”

The lawmaker is now isolating and awaiting the results of PCR testing. Interestingly, Coleman is among a score of lawmakers who have already received the first dose of Pfizer's COVID vaccine.

Remember, members of congress had to shelter together in an undisclosed location after President Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol in the failed coup. There's video showing several Republican members refusing to wear masks being passed around by Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.

The news comes one day after the attending physician of the U.S. Congress said members and their staff may have been exposed as a result of the riots.

Dr. Brian Monahan sent a memo to all members of Congress to inform them that sheltering with other members in a room for a long period of time may have exposed them to the virus.

The doc had advised members to get tested. With so many lawmakers locked in one room for hours ... it's not far fetched to think congress may soon have an outbreak on its hands.

Nancy Pelosi Tears Up Over Capitol Riots ... Shades AOC During Interview

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HOLDING BACK TEARS

Nancy Pelosi is clearly still dealing with the trauma of the deadly Capitol breach ... and also seems to be fed up talking about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Speaker Pelosi appeared on "60 Minutes" Sunday to talk about the deadly insurrection last week, and got emotional -- appearing to hold back tears -- as she blamed President Trump for what she calls a "terrible violation" of the legislative branch of the U.S. government.

Pelosi also got worked up -- in a much different way -- when Lesley Stahl asked her about AOC complaining she and other Democratic honchos are excluding the younger generation of representatives from leadership roles.

Her response is telling ... and Stahl clearly noticed.

As we've reported ... it seems some of the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol had far worse intentions than just walking around and putting their feet up on desks -- like Richard Barnett did in Pelosi's office -- so it's understandable why she's shaken up and wants Trump to pay for it. As AOC herself said, the insurrectionists may well have murdered half the members of Congress if they had their way.

Pelosi issued an ultimatum Sunday to Vice President Mike Pence, vowing to move forward with impeaching Trump if the VP doesn't invoke the 25th amendment to remove him from office STAT.

Joe Biden Rescue Pup Set For 'Indoguration'

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President-elect Joe Biden isn't the only one being ushered into the White House with pomp and circumstance ... his rescue dog, Major, is getting "indogurated."

Major, a German Shepherd, is getting honored by the Delaware shelter where the Bidens rescued him ... with a special inauguration of his own this Sunday on Zoom ... and the "indoguration" is raising money for other pups like Major.

The Bidens adopted Major from the Delaware Humane Association back in 2018, and now Major's set to become the first shelter dog in the White House ... hence the big virtual celebration.

Major's "indoguration" is being hosted by 'Today' show's Jill Martin, and folks can join the Zoom event with a $10 minimum donation, with all proceeds going to the DHA.

Sunday's event sounds like a fun time ... it's being hailed as "the world's largest virtual party for dogs."

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. is about to welcome 2 pooches after 4 years of no pups ... the Bidens also have another German Shepherd, Champ.

Melania Trump Breaks Silence on Capitol ... Condemns Violence, Calls for Unity

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First Lady Melania Trump's first public reaction to the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is to call for peace and unity -- but her remarks might feel a tad ... too little, too late.

FLOTUS published a statement Monday on the White House's website titled, "Our Path Forward." She starts out by talking about COVID and eventually builds to the siege a few graphs in ... after sending condolences to people who died during the attempted coup -- including Ashli Babbit, Officer Brian Sicknick and others.

Finally, Melania says this ... "I am disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week." Rather than go straight into condemning the violence and illegal actions of the rioters, she first shames folks for "salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me."

After prefacing her comments and then saying the country must heal in a civil manner ... MT, at last, gets to these crucial words ... "Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our Nation’s Capitol. Violence is never acceptable."

She goes on to explain she values the right of free speech, adding with that in mind ... folks should pause and look at things from all perspectives. Melania then says she implores for people to stop the violence and to come together as Americans.

Melania also uses her letter as a farewell, saying that it's been an honor to serve as First Lady -- and that she's grateful for those who supported her and Donald these past 4 years.

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Nancy Pelosi to Mike Pence 24 Hours for 25th Amendment ... OR We'll Do It Ourselves!!!

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just laid her party's plan for removing President Trump from office ... and the ball is moving quick, with a 24-hour deadline for VP Mike Pence to act.

Pelosi sent a letter Sunday to her fellow Dems, and she says that on Monday ... the Majority Leader in the House, Rep. Steny Hoyer, will ask for unanimous consent on a resolution demanding Pence assemble the other cabinet members, and invoke the 25th Amendment on Trump ... which would remove him from his post, and have Pence in as acting Prez.

If they meet any roadblocks in getting that unanimous consent, Speaker Pelosi says they'll bring it to a floor vote on Tuesday. She also says this, "We are calling on the Vice President to respond within 24 hours."

So, yeah ... clock's ticking for the Veep -- who has reportedly not ruled out invoking the 25th Amendment if Trump continues to incite violence and act erratically in these final weeks.

There's more from Pelosi too ... in her letter, she says if Pence stonewalls on invoking the 25th Amendment, the House will begin impeachment proceedings later this week. She says, "In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both."

She adds this ... "As the days go by, the horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action."

Pro-Trump Group Threatened Rebellion Day Before Capitol Riot ... 'Civil War is Brewing'

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CALLS FOR VIOLENCE

There was a frightening call to arms this past week ... "When the ballot box is gone, there is only the cartridge box. You have made bullets expensive. But luckily for you, ropes are reusable."

Thing is ... this was the day before the insurrection, and 2,800 miles from the Capitol.

Last Tuesday, the day before the attempted coup on Capitol Hill, there was a scheduled meeting in Northern California of the Shasta County Board of Supervisors. The meeting was supposed to be all virtual, because the pandemic in California has spiraled out of control.

That didn't sit well with a couple of supervisors, including newly-elected Patrick Jones, and a bunch of residents who wanted inside the official chambers. The Supervisor let dozens of angry residents inside, most of whom were angry over COVID restrictions, but there were threats ... plenty of threats, like, "Civil war is brewing."

Timothy Fairfield is the man who talked about the cartridge box. He added, "Flee now while you can, because the days of your tyranny are drawing to a close and the legitimacy of this government is waning."

Carlos Zapata, who has reportedly been a member of California State Militia and appears on Alex Jones' "InfoWars," is active in Shasta County and thinking of running for office. After the coup attempt in D.C., he told the L.A. Times, "Without the threat of physical violence, our words are empty ... By calling for violence, am I saying, 'Hey, let's go kill people?' Absolutely not, and I never have ... But I am saying that we're at the point now where we have to consider the threat of violence to protect ourselves."

Zapata had some choice words about the Capitol riots ... "People say, Oh, man, those people at the Capitol, they were violent. That's un-American ... I'm like, the most American thing they could have done is burned that f***** down."

Zapata is on video from last August at a Supervisor's meeting, threatening war and a rebellion.

As for Supervisor Jones, he called the attempted coup in D.C. "unfortunate."

BTW ... there's a movement in the conservative, rural Northern California counties to split from California and create a new state -- the name would be Jefferson.