Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 42
- Location
- Janesville, Wisconsin
- Charges
- Civil Disorder; Obstruction of an Official Proceeding; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building; Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
- Case status
- Pleaded not guilty; Dismissed in part or full
Case Summary
Michael Fitzgerald was part of a crowd who pushed law enforcement officers guarding the doors of the U.S. Capitol and breached the building on the Senate side, according to federal prosecutors. He was seen on video wearing a red hat and a shirt that said "Wild Protest," prosecutors say. (In the days leading up to the riot, then-President Trump tweeted, "Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!") After the insurrection, the FBI sought information about people thought to be involved and asked the public to help identify a photo now alleged to depict Fitzgerald. A tipster contacted the FBI and said he or she "knew Fitzgerald through employment and provided Fitzgerald's address and phone number." Fitzgerald's attorney told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "He's cooperated with [the government]. He's not a major player."
Case History
Fitzgerald pleaded Not Guilty to all charges. The court dismissed the Obstruction charge on 11/22/2024. On 1/22/2025, the court ordered that the case is dismissed without prejudice.
Sources
- Primary Documentation
NPR Jan. 6 Defendant DatabaseNPR - Primary Documentation
Underlying court recordCourt record linked by NPR
Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.