Capitol attack insurrectionists flock to fundraising websites to raise defense funds

Fairlamb has so far raised more than $38,000 towards his goal of $100,000. He pleaded guilty to the assault and was sentenced to 41 months in prison.

The framing of his appeal to potential donors contrasts sharply with what actually happened on the day. Hundreds stormed the Capitol and five people died, including a police officer, with scores more injured.

One of the striking aspects of the 6 January appeal for cash is not only the large number of fundraisers that have been set up for people accused of participating in the insurrection which stretch into the hundreds, but also the considerable sums of money they have been accruing over the months.

A tally by CNN in September estimated that the total amount raised to support those accused of 6 January crimes may have exceeded $2m.

Experts who track extremist fundraising online warn that the impressive flow of resources to alleged violent insurrectionists could have long-term consequences by giving succor to anti-democratic movements.

Megan Squire, a senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center, told the Guardian that though the money was put to a variety of uses, from providing bail money and legal fees to paying bills, the scale of the funding was worrying.

Accused insurrectionists have been assisted in their fundraising efforts by the proliferation of sites that are willing to host their monetary appeals, even in several cases where the individuals have pleaded guilty or been sentenced to prison terms. The sites include AllFundIt, which was created by a Trump-supporting conservative blogger and which hosts the Straka fundraiser.

Four of those appeals have each raised more than $100,000 for their subjects.

Among the 96 fundraisers are appeals for several military veterans and former law enforcement officers charged with felonies on 6 January. A former army ranger, Robert Morss allegedly used his military training to play a leading role in organizing the violent attack on the Capitol.

Julian Khater and George Tanios both have pages on GiveSendGo. They are accused of using powerful bear spray to attack Capitol police officer Brian Sidnick who died a day after the insurrection.

A medical examiner found that Sidnick died of natural causes.