Categories: Politics

Capitol rioter who put feet on Pelosi’s desk regrets his ‘crass’ actions that brought ‘misery’ to family

Richard “Bigo” Barnett, the man who propped his feet on then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk during the January 6th Capitol riot, admitted in court that he regrets his actions that he now considers “crass.” 

Barnett, a former firefighter haling from Arkansas, took the stand on Thursday to testify in his own defense on criminal, riot-related charges.

Barnett faces eight crimes for breaching the U.S. Capitol building along with thousands of other protestors participating in the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 6, 2021. U.S. lawmakers in the building at the time were meeting to certify the 2020 presidential election results electing President Biden. 

TRIAL FOR CAPITOL RIOTER PHOTOGRAPHED WITH FEET ON PELOSI’ DESK BEGINS

Richard "Bigo" Barnett sits at then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk in the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021.
(Saul Loeb/AFP)

Nearly 500 of the 900 rioters facing federal charges for their actions in the Capitol riots have pled guilty.

“Two years of lost life. Misery for my family,” Barnett testified to the court on Thursday. 

During his testimony, Barnett shared that he had no intention of breaching the Capitol and believed the “Stop the Steal” rally to be taking place outside the building, though prosecutors have argued otherwise. 

Defense attorneys for Barnett have argued that the former firefighter didn’t break barriers or assault police as he was swept along into the building with the rest of the crowd. He wandered into Pelosi’s office suite looking for a bathroom, his lawyers said.

Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Upon entering the then-Speaker’s office, Barnett was photographed taking a seat at Pelosi’s desk and propping his feet atop the table – perhaps one of the most recognizable images from January 6th.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SEES FIRST ACQUITTAL OF JAN. 6 RIOTER NOT GUILTY ON OBSTRUCTION CHARGE

In a video interview moments after exiting the Capitol, Barnett told a New York Times reporter that he had left a note on Pelosi’s desk that read, “Nancy, Bigo was here, you b—-.”

He also reportedly said he regrets calling Pelosi the name, a move he now calls “crass.”

In court, Barnett expressed his regrets for his harsh words directed towards the former House Speaker and wishes to apologize to Pelosi, if given the chance. Cross-examination of Barnett is set to resume Friday. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Share

Recent Posts

Maryland mom of 2-month-old girl dies after golf cart accident

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 13 Fox News Flash top headlines…

53 minutes ago

Why that Google Meet error might be a sneaky hacker trick

A new scam called ClickFix is targeting users and is on the rise in the…

1 hour ago

Elon Musk dubs himself the ”George Soros’ of the middle’

Business tycoon Elon Musk, who staunchly supported President-elect Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential election,…

1 hour ago

Pennsylvania Senate race triggers recount, with McCormick projected to win and Casey yet to concede

Pennsylvania officials announced Wednesday that the tight margin in the Senate race between Sen. Bob…

1 hour ago

What happens to the Gaetz House ethics report?

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., resigned from Congress late Wednesday, hours after President-elect Trump nominated him…

1 hour ago

Size of Republican House majority to be decided by 9 remaining uncalled races

More than a week after Election Day, the final outcome of the 2024 election is…

1 hour ago