Jan. 6 riot defendants won't get support from South Dakota lawmakers

A measure demanding the 'humane and fair treatment' for protesters gets little comment before being voted down

Treniss Evans testifies before the House State Affairs Committee on Jan. 25, 2023. (Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout)

PIERRE — A South Dakota House committee on Wednesday rejected a symbolic measure that sought to support protesters who were arrested following the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the nation’s Capitol.

The sponsor, Rep. Phil Jensen, R-Rapid City, didn’t speak to the resolution, entitled, “encouraging the humane and fair treatment of the Jan. 6 defendants.” Instead, he turned that over to Treniss Evans, a Texas man who served jail time for entering the Capitol on Jan. 6 during the riot.

Evans established a legal advocacy group called Condemned USA that is fighting for those who remain jailed for their roles in the riot.

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