Authorities said Philip Grillo is pictured in this surveillance image from inside the Capitol Building (court documents)
Feb. 23, 2021 By Christina Santucci
A Republican district leader from northeast Queens was arrested Monday by the FBI in connection with the riot at the Capitol building last month, according to law enforcement sources and court documents.
Philip Grillo, 46, who was picked up by authorities at his girlfriend’s Glen Oaks home yesterday, is expected to appear in Brooklyn federal court later today. Authorities have not yet revealed what he will be charged with.
Federal prosecutors arrested Grillo based on surveillance footage. He was allegedly seen on video climbing into the U.S. Capitol through a broken window and holding a megaphone, according to court documents.
Authorities said Grillo was wearing a distinctive Knights of Columbus jacket when the mob of Donald Trump supporters stormed the government building.
Grillo is the district leader in Assembly District 24, which stretches across the borough from South Richmond Hill to Glen Oaks, according to the Queens County GOP website.
On his Facebook page, Grillo’s name is displayed along with the title: The Republican Messiah, and he called the district he represents, “President Trumps Hometown District.”
Two people had contacted the FBI tip line, after seeing Grillo pictured in CNN footage of the Capitol riot, according to court documents. One told investigators that they had grown up with Grillo and the other had known him in school.
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Bottom Line – The Cult of Trump is dangerous. It sparks hatred, division, violence and racism. It’s worship of one man is also idolatrous. Trump was not, is not and never will be the solution. He is the problem. If Republicans don’t cut their ties with him, they will rightly destroy the GOP.