By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of Proud Boys, and two other members pleaded not guilty Thursday to seditious conspiracy allegations that had been filed earlier in the week against them. They were charged with their alleged participation in storming Congress on January 6, 2021.

Tarrio, Joseph Biggs and Dominic Pezzola made the not guilty pleas during a Washington virtual court hearing. This was just hours before the Democratic led U.S. House Select Committee that is investigating the Capitol Riot will hold the first of a series to disclose its findings.

Ethan Nordean (the other defendant) and Zachary Rehl (the third defendant) were unable to attend the hearing. These two men are scheduled for an arraignment in due course.

It is the second occasion that the Justice Department filed seditious conspiracy accusations in connection to the Capitol riot organized by Trump supporters.

Stewart Rhodes was one of 11 Oath Keepers members who were allegedly involved in the fatal attack.

One defense lawyer questioned whether prosecutions had deliberately timed Thursday’s indictment with committee’s prime-time hearing. Prosecutors denied the accusation and Timothy Kelly termed it “unwarranted”.

Nordean counsel Nick Smith said, “Mixing criminal justice and politics is dangerous.” We must flee from it like flames.”

Lawyers representing the five defendants made complaints about plans by the committee to release transcripts of interviews with 1000 witnesses. They fear that it will be lost during their trial, which begins Aug. 8.

Kelly claimed that what the House Select Committee does “beyond anyone’s power” at hearings, and everyone should pay attention to the actions of the committee, but he doesn’t see any immediate reason for delaying the trial.