US Capitol rioters accused of erasing content from social media, phones

A Jan 6, 2021 file photo of violent insurrectionists loyal to Trump storming the US Capitol in Washington. — AP

PHOENIX: They flaunted their participation in the Jan 6 riot at the US Capitol on social media and then, apparently realising they were in legal trouble, rushed to delete evidence of it, authorities say. Now their attempts to cover up their role in the deadly siege are likely to come back to haunt them in court.

An Associated Press review of court records has found that at least 49 defendants are accused of trying to erase incriminating photos, videos and texts from phones or social media accounts documenting their conduct as a pro-Donald Trump mob stormed Congress and briefly interrupted the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory.