“Amid rising concerns on the Hill about potential violence during a Sept. 18 rally defending those arrested during the Capitol riot, two well-known House conservatives who have described some Jan. 6 insurrectionists as ‘political prisoners’ say they’re not planning to attend this month’s event. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Madison Cawthorn expect to skip the so-called ‘Justice for J6’ rally on Sept. 18, according to the GOP duo’s spokespeople. Matthew Braynard, a former Trump campaign official organizing the event at the foot of the Capitol, has publicly invited all lawmakers to attend, but Cawthorn and Greene – two of the most vocal elected Republicans who have said some who breached the Capitol were unfairly prosecuted – would have been VIP attendees.”

“A spokesperson for Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), another close Trump ally, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. As the rally draws closer, congressional security officials are beginning to prepare for potential risks amid heightened scrutiny of lapses in the response to the violence of Jan. 6’s riot led by supporters of former President Donald Trump. While final security decisions had not yet been made on matters like whether to restore the Capitol fencing that recently came down, House Administration Committee Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) was set to receive a briefing from Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger Wednesday afternoon, according to a source familiar with the meeting” – Politico.