Rachel Powell, the 40-year-old mother of eight from Pennsylvania who was identified as the “pink hat lady” during the January 6th domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol, is facing a revocation of her release after she was shown on social media wearing a less-than-effective face mask.

According to the Washington Post, Powell was released pending trial for her involvement in the coup attempt under specific conditions, including that she wear a face mask in public to comply with public health guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic.  Photos and video of Powell at work, smirking while wearing a facemask made of material similar to fishnet stockings, was posted on social media in the past week.  [Photo included after the fold.]

When asked by a court compliance officer if she was the woman in the posts and if she had been wearing a mask, Powell was reported evasive.  Powell reportedly stated that she stopped wearing the mask upon advice from her attorney.

The Court, however, was having none of it.  “The court does not take defendant’s willingness to flout the Court’s Order lightly,” U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth wrote in reviewing the issue. “Additionally, the Court is concerned with defense counsel’s apparent reaction to defendant’s non-compliance.”

Powell’s attorney replied that he had no input into his client’s decision.  “I need to review the matter with my client and file a response with the Court,” attorney Michael J. Engle of Philadelphia said in an email to the Court.  “However, I can state with absolute certainty that the characterization of any legal advice I may have provided to my client is not accurate.”

A judge said Rachel Powell’s decision to wear a see-through mesh mask “mocks” and “flout[s]” the court’s order.

Powell must “show cause… why the Court should not revoke her pre-trial release, order her detained pending trial, or hold her in contempt.” https://t.co/2bL6AteMPq

— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) April 16, 2021