‘Using Pepper Spray on Police Officers Is a Very Bad Idea,’ Judge Says to Heritage Foundation Protester

Nathaniel Craig Wetter Taylor, the protester who allegedly pepper-sprayed security officers outside The Heritage Foundation Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in a Washington, D.C., arraignment Thursday.

Taylor faces two misdemeanor counts of assaulting a law enforcement officer after he reportedly used pepper spray to attack two security personnel as he attempted to enter the conservative think tank’s offices.

Judge Robert Hildum, who presided over the arraignment, ordered Taylor released on his own recognizance, requiring him to return to pre-trial services Friday before 4 p.m. Eastern. The judge also ordered him to avoid “the 200 block of Massachusetts Ave NE and the related Heritage Foundation grounds,” as marked on a map the U.S. attorney’s office provided.

Taylor, a resident of Champaign, Illinois, said he intended to travel home on Sunday.

“Using pepper spray on police officers is a very bad idea,” Hildum said after announcing his decision.

When approached for comment after the arraignment, Taylor suggested he faced the wrong charges.

“I don’t understand them to be police officers, and that’s all I have to say for now,” he told The Daily Signal outside the courthouse.

Heritage security officers are special police officers in the District of Columbia.

The court ordered Taylor to appear on July 21.

Security video of the incident shows Taylor trying to enter the front door of The Heritage Foundation, rather than standing on the public sidewalk near the front entrance. When security officers attempted to move him to the sidewalk, he shot them in the eyes with pepper spray, according to the video.

“The assault on two of our security guards this morning by a far-left agitator protesting at Heritage since Sunday is unacceptable and not tolerated,” Eric Korsvall, Heritage’s chief operating officer, told The Daily Signal on Wednesday. “The safety of our staff, guests, and security team is non-negotiable.”

“Heritage believes in the First Amendment and respects American citizens’ right to disagree and to protest peacefully,” he added. “However, physical threats, attacks, and violence cross the line. Full stop.”

Taylor reportedly wore a red hat that looked like a “Make America Great Again” hat, but with the words “Not Great” instead.

Protesters in Washington, D.C., are gearing up for a series of actions across the country meant to coincide with President Donald Trump’s parade to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army on Saturday. The date, June 14, also coincides with Flag Day and Trump’s 79th birthday. Anti-Trump protesters have planned “No Kings” protests across the country on the same day.

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