A judge who dropped election interference charges against President-elect Donald Trump has agreed to let a convicted January 6 defendant go to Trump's inauguration in D.C., which violates a condition of his bail that prohibits travel outside a certain area.

On Thursday, Federal D.C. Judge Tanya bChutkan ruled to allow Eric Peterson to travel to D.C. for the inauguration even though he pleaded guilty last month to breaking into the Capitol with thousands of others on January 6, 2021.

He could get a year behind bars at his sentencing January 27.

He is free without bail awaiting sentencing, but would not have been allowed to go to D.C. under the conditions he has to meet until then.

Not a risk

Peterson’s lawyer Michael Bullotta argued that he was only in the Capitol for 8 minutes and wasn't violent or destructive during that time.

Bullotta also said Peterson wasn't aware that others were engaging in violence or vandalism during the time he was inside the Capitol.

Peterson resides in Kansas City, Missouri. He is a veteran and business owner as well.

While tickets are required for the inauguration itself, many gather on the National Mall to watch it on Jumbotrons.

Prosecutors fighting

Prosecutors fought the request along with those of two other January 6 defendants, whose requests are still pending.

Chutkan dismissed the election interference case against Trump that was brought by Jack Smith, at the request of Smith after Trump was elected president again and they saw the tide turn against those prosecuting Trump.

Trump has pledged to pardon many or all of the January 6 defendants when he takes office on January 20.

He believes the charges are a political witch hunt against those who support him.

They were swept into the energy of the moment, and most of them didn't even realize what they were doing when they breached the Capitol on January 11.

D.C. judges have generally thrown the book at them and given them the most serious possible charges along with lengthy jail terms, far out of proportion to their actions.