'Sedition Panda' convicted of assaulting officer on Jan. 6 after judge calls defense argument 'absurd'

Nichols said Friday that the evidence showed Rumson "repeatedly rushing towards the police" before Rumson assaulted Ainsworth, saying the evidence of the assault was "crystal clear" and calling some of the arguments from Rumson and his lawyer "absurd." Rumson claimed during his testimony that he didn't realize the Capitol building was restricted until he was inside, even though evidence showed he jumped over a railing and joined the mob surging inside seconds after a window on the door was smashed out by cane-wielding Jan. 6 rioter William Bierbrodt, who has since died. Rumson ended up in handcuffs inside the Capitol and lost his panda head and backpack, but was freed from his handcuffs by other members of the mob once he got outside.

While outside the building, Rumson yelled "get a ram!" as rioters smashed a window, video evidence at trial showed; he claimed at trial he "could not fathom" saying that. He admitted that he made contact with Ainworth's helmet but claimed it was accidental. He offered no logical explanation for why he rushed at police again and again.