Sullivan, 29, of Utah, has shown sympathy for anti-fascism and Black Lives Matter causes, according to the prosecution during the sentencing hearing. Then, supporters of Trump misrepresented his appearance on January 6 as proof that the disturbance was caused by agitators opposed to him. Prosecutors countered that Sullivan was really pursuing his own anti-government goal and wanted to “see the government burn,” halting the validation of Joe Biden’s electoral win. Politico reported that US District Judge Royce Lamberth described defendant Sullivan as a “chaos agent,” stating that “violence was an end unto itself.”
A jury found Sullivan guilty in November of five misdemeanors in addition to the felonies of rioting and delaying Congress’ certification of the vote. According to the Washington Post, prosecutors said that he arrived to the Capitol with a knife, tactical vest, gas mask, and megaphone. The jury saw video of Sullivan threatening to inflict damage on the pro-Trump crowd. In the video, he stated, “I brought my megaphone to instigate s—.” After sincerely apologizing in court for his actions, Sullivan condemned the DC jail’s circumstances. Since prison authorities determined that Sullivan’s political opinions rendered it too hazardous for him to be in with other Jan. 6 offenders, he has been placed under protective custody.