U.S. to dismiss charges against 129 people in Trump inaugural protests

Reuters
Protesters block an entry point before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, DC, U.S., January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Bryan Woolston

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department intends to dismiss criminal charges against 129 defendants in connection with the protests that took place during President Donald Trump's Jan. 20, 2017 inauguration, according to a court filing on Thursday. The move to dismiss the charges against the majority of the more than 200 people arrested comes after six protesters were cleared of criminal rioting by a jury in December. The government said on Thursday it still intends to proceed prosecuting 59 remaining defendants. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Susan Thomas)