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Observers believe Neely’s re-arrest highlights a troubling trend: the DOJ targeting January 6 defendants over minor infractions. In Neely’s case, the “violations” stem from his inability to pay $939.93 in restitution. Like many other January 6 defendants, he has faced immense challenges finding housing and employment due to the stigma of his involvement in the Capitol protests.
After his arrest just one day before the presidential election, Neely was transferred from Durham, North Carolina, to D.C. His supporters were forced to spend hundreds of dollars on phone and commissary privileges during his detention. Now, as he is released, Neely must fund his own journey back to North Carolina.
Adding insult to injury, the DOJ reportedly confiscated Neely’s belongings for a second time, leaving him without a phone or other essential items. Coordinating travel home has become another hurdle, with the Patriot’s Legal Defense Fund stepping in to arrange transportation and a new phone.
Critics argue Neely’s arrest is part of a larger DOJ bias against conservative journalists. While liberal outlets like The New Yorker received praise for reporting on January 6, conservative voices like Neely’s were silenced. Neely’s extensive history as a journalist, including his work with Global Enlightenment Radio Network, was well-documented before January 6. Yet the FBI sought to delete his news reports and broadcasts from the internet.
The FBI’s own search warrant affidavit, dated September 30, 2021, confirms Neely’s role as a journalist during the Capitol protests. The document states that witnesses recognized Neely’s voice narrating events inside the Capitol during a video call. However, unlike journalists from mainstream outlets, Neely faces prosecution instead of recognition.
Neely’s arrest occurred amid a broader crackdown by the Biden administration on January 6 defendants. Federal prosecutors filed a petition in October alleging Neely violated his supervised release, but the document remains sealed. His supporters call the allegations frivolous and part of a coordinated effort to silence Trump loyalists.
On November 4, Greensboro police conducted a “wellness check” at Neely’s hotel room after receiving a report about a young woman staying there. The woman, referred to as “Tiny,” confirmed Neely was helping her escape a threatening situation in Pennsylvania. Despite no wrongdoing, police later returned and accused Neely of providing an incorrect name, a charge stemming from his lack of identification—documents previously confiscated by the Bureau of Prisons.
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As Neely works to rebuild his life, activists are rallying for support. Finding housing has been particularly difficult due to his legal troubles and limited recent work history. The Patriot’s Legal Defense Fund hopes to cover six months’ rent for an apartment in North Carolina, where Neely’s probation is based.
Anyone with connections to fair-minded landlords or affordable housing is urged to reach out to the Fund. Supporters can also contribute to Neely’s ongoing legal battles and recovery efforts.
Neely’s ordeal underscores the challenges faced by January 6 defendants and highlights what many see as a double standard in how conservative journalists are treated by the mainstream media and the justice system. As the Biden DOJ intensifies its pursuit of Trump supporters, Neely’s story serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing political divide in America.
