WASHINGTON — Following the tumultuous events of the 2020 presidential election, many supporters of Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. Fast forward four years, and some of these individuals are seeking approval to return to Washington, D.C., to celebrate Trump’s anticipated second presidential inauguration.

A review of court files reveals that at least 20 defendants, who faced charges or convictions related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, have filed requests with federal judges to attend the upcoming inauguration on Monday. While many have received permits to go, others have been denied.

Prosecutors from the Justice Department have generally opposed these requests, arguing that individuals involved in the Capitol riot should not be permitted to return to the site of their offenses while they remain under court supervision. One prosecutor highlighted the potential for these individuals to engage in further violent behavior, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public safety.

As it stands, at least 11 defendants have been granted permission to attend the inauguration. This significant event may also include a moment where Trump could issue pardons to those convicted of related charges. Conversely, judges declined requests from at least seven other defendants who sought similar permissions.

Individuals who have served their sentences may also attend, provided they have completed all terms of their punishment. Generally, those still under sentence or probation must secure a judge’s approval for travel outside their home jurisdiction.

Among those allowed to attend is Deborah Lynn Lee, a woman from Pennsylvania who faced charges for making incendiary social media posts implying violence against political opponents before the riot. Convicted of multiple misdemeanors, she is set to be sentenced shortly after the inauguration. Prosecutor Carlos Valdivia expressed concern regarding the potential threat to law enforcement officers posed by her presence. However, the magistrate overseeing her case allowed her to attend, noting that she has adhered to her release conditions and is not a direct threat.

In a similar case, a judge granted a New York couple, Carol and Kevin Moore, permission to attend the inauguration while they await their trial in April. Prosecutors had raised concerns about their presence causing distress to law enforcement at the event, but the judge concluded that it was improbable that officers would recognize them.

The Moores plan to participate in demonstrations supporting Trump’s intentions to pardon January 6 defendants, aiming to draw attention to a campaign pledge he made. Trump’s framing of those involved in the Capitol riots as “hostages” or “patriots” has been a consistent narrative in his rhetoric.

Others granted access to Washington for the inauguration include a man from New Jersey who voluntarily reported to the FBI, a woman sentenced to four months in prison from New Hampshire, and another New Jersey resident accused of inciting fellow rioters through a bullhorn.

On the flip side, some individuals remain barred from attending the inauguration. Jared Miller, facing assault charges in connection with the riot, saw his request for entry denied. His attorney argued that the circumstances surrounding the event had dramatically shifted from the chaos of the January 6 riot to the celebratory nature of an inauguration. The judge, however, upheld his exclusion based on the severity of the charges.

Russell Taylor, who possessed a knife and hatchet during the riot, hoped to attend the inauguration upon receiving an invitation from a former representative. Nevertheless, he was faced with a denial from a judge, who maintained that permitting someone involved in an effort to disrupt the previous inauguration to participate in an event honoring the peaceful transition of power would set a poor precedent.

Other travel requests from individuals charged with direct assaults during the January 6 events were also rejected, reflecting the courts’ steady stance toward maintaining accountability for those involved in the Capitol riot.