GOP candidate for Michigan gov. Ryan Kelley to be arraigned on federal Jan. 6 charges

Arraignment to take place virtually Thursday morning with US District Court

Ryan Kelley, GOP candidate running for Michigan governor in 2022. Photo courtesy of Kelley's campaign website. (Ryan Kelley)

WASHINGTON – Republican candidate for Michigan governor Ryan Kelley is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning on federal charges connected to his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

UPDATE: Michigan GOP gov. candidate Ryan Kelley pleads not guilty to federal Jan. 6 charges

Kelley was arrested by the FBI on June 9 and charged for participating in the deadly Jan. 6 riot in Washington, D.C. He is set to be arraigned virtually with the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., at 10 a.m. on July 7.

According to FBI documents, there is footage showing Kelley on the Capitol steps, climbing the structure and entering the Capitol’s North West Courtyard. Kelley was also said to be “using his hands to support another rioter who is pulling the metal barricade.”

More: Michigan GOP candidate for governor Ryan Kelley arrested by FBI: What we know

The FBI executed a search warrant at Kelley’s home in Allendale Township last month, taking the 40-year-old man into custody. Kelley was arraigned on misdemeanor charges and released that same afternoon. He is now being arraigned on federal charges for the same incident.

Kelley is being accused of:

  • Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority;
  • Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds;
  • Knowingly engaging in any act of physical violence against person or property in any restricted building or grounds; and
  • Willfully injuring or committing any depredation against any property of the United States.
Ryan Kelley at Jan. 6 riot. (FBI)

The former Allendale Township planning commissioner is one of five remaining Republican candidates hoping to run against incumbent Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the fall. Five former candidates have been barred from running on the primary ballot in August due to insufficient valid nominating signatures.

Read the entire FBI complaint against Kelley below.


About the Author:

Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues.