A Republican lawmaker who live-streamed himself storming the Capitol last week has now resigned from his post.
According to BuzzFeed News, West Virginia lawmaker Derrick Evans - who is now facing criminal charges - filmed himself participating in the pro-Trump riots on the evening of Wednesday, January 6.
Per CNN, in the video in question, Evans can be heard yelling "We're here! We're here! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol!" as he and other rioters interrupted Congress' affirmation of President-Elect Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 US Presidential Election.
Per BuzzFeed, prosecutors asserted in Evans' criminal complaint affidavit that he also posted a number of now-deleted videos on Facebook of the crowd outside the Capitol building, stating in one:
"They're making an announcement right now saying if Pence betrays us you better get your mind right because we're storming the building."
Last week, Evans' attorney John Bryan claimed that Evans was not cognizant of the fact that he was breaking the law when he entered the building, writing in a statement:
"He committed no criminal act that day. To the contrary, he was exercising his constitutionally protected rights to engage in peaceful protest and to film the events which were unfolding."
Buzzfeed reports that Evans has now resigned from his post at the West Virginia House of Delegates, writing in a statement:
"I feel it’s best at this point to resign my seat in the House and focus on my personal situation and those I love.
"I take full responsibility for my actions, and deeply regret any hurt, pain or embarrassment I may have caused my family, friends, constituents, and fellow West Virginians."
Evans is not the first participant of the riots (which left five dead) to face serious consequences for his actions. A number of other rioters who have been positively identified have been charged by investigators, or have been fired from their jobs.
Per CNN, Texan attorney Paul Davis, who appeared in a number of images of the riot, has now been fired from his job at Goosehead Insurance.
A Twitter account belonging to the company tweeted on Thursday: "Paul Davis, Associate General Counsel, is no longer employed by Goosehead."
Former Pennsylvania state representative Rick Saccone, who shared now-deleted images on Facebook of himself outside the Capitol building, has also resigned from his post as Adjunct Professor of Saint Vincent College.
Michael Hustava, Saint Vincent's Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, told CNN:
"As a result of that investigation, Dr. Saccone has submitted and we have accepted his letter of resignation, effective immediately. He will no longer be associated with Saint Vincent College in any capacity."
Speaking to West Pennsylvanian news outlet The Tribune-Review about his departure, Saccone stated:
"I've been there 21 years. I didn't want all this terrible media kerfuffle to tarnish the school. I decided it would be better if I just resigned."
Per Reuters, Chicago realtor Libby Andrews was also fired by @properties and removed from the real estate company's website, despite her insistence that she never even entered the Capitol Building on January 6.
Reuters also reports that a Twitter thread launched by a user with the handle @Gagladla has named-and-shamed other Captiol riot participants.
One such man was fired from his job at a Maryland-based for participating after he was spotted wearing his employee ID badge in the midst of the violence.
Navistar Direct Marketing, the employer of the man in question claimed in a press statement that it had been made aware of the photos and had terminated his contract.
A spokesperson for the organization wrote:
"Navistar Direct Marketing was made aware that a man wearing a Navistar company badge was seen inside the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, during the security breach. After a review of the photographic evidence, the employee in question has been terminated for cause.
"While we support all employee’s right to peaceful, lawful exercise of free speech, any employee demonstrating dangerous conduct that endangers the health and safety of others will no longer have an employment opportunity with Navistar Direct Marketing."
