The fallout from the Jan. 6 riotous insurrection at our nation’s Capitol building in Washington, D.C., has had consequences for not only those who committed illegal acts but for some who attended the rally and got caught up in the incendiary activities of the moment.

The rally was encouraged by outgoing President Donald Trump, who falsely maintained that the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden, was stolen from him and the Republicans.

Nearly 60 lawsuits filed by Trump’s legal team, certification by poll officials of both parties, recounts, appeals of unfavorable decisions all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and statements by friends and foes produced no confirmation of widespread fraud, as Trump and his supporters contended.

We are hearing numerous stories of participants whose roles in the rally are being scrutinized by their employers and organizations with which they are affiliated. In some cases, some participants have already lost their jobs; others have been put on leave while their participation is investigated more closely.

Such is the case with an Allentown School District teacher, who was placed on paid leave while the district conducts a formal investigation.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Parker did not identify the teacher, nor did he say what the specific allegations might be. Sources say the district was tipped off by a taxpayer who saw the teacher in the crowd of thousands of angry protesters who marched toward the Capitol.

In a letter to the district’s staff, Parker said, “We understand that many members of our community are upset by the image. At the same time, the district has an obligation to respect the First Amendment rights of our staff and students.”

Parker told staff members that they have to “think carefully about what they share online and how it could affect their students and fellow community members.”

Several busloads of area residents from the Carbon-Schuylkill area attended the “Save America” rally, as it was billed, as did Trump supporters from throughout the Times News region.

Andrew Wrigley of Jim Thorpe was charged by Capitol Police Friday with knowingly entering a restricted building or grounds without authority and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

He appeared in federal court in Scranton and was released on condition of turning in his passport and agreeing not to travel to Washington or Harrisburg until his case has been processed.

On Monday, Craig Bingert of Slatington turned himself in.

Because of the extensive news coverage of the rally and the posting of thousands upon thousands of images on social media, some of the protesters’ activities are clearly chronicled for all to see. Wrigley was among these as he posted several Facebook photos of himself inside the Capitol, police said.

One Pennsylvanian, Ben Phillips, 50, of Bloomsburg, formerly of Ringtown, Schuylkill County, died after suffering a medical emergency at the rally. He was one of five who died, including one Capitol Police officer and one rioter.

A newly elected West Virginia state lawmaker, Republican Derrick Evans, was charged with illegal entry and resigned. He was arrested after filming himself inside the Capitol.

Even CEOs were not exempt. Bradley Rikstales, CEO of Cogensia, an analytics firm near Chicago, was fired for illegally entering the Capitol. “It was the single worst personal decision of my life; I have no excuse for my actions and wish that I could take them back,” Rikstales said.

An ex-firefighter of the Chester Fire Department has been charged with throwing a fire extinguisher and injuring several members of the Capitol police force.

Some employees who feel they have the protection of the First Amendment when they protest are surprised to learn that most private employers can fire workers for attending controversial protests, because First Amendment rights only prohibit people from being punished by the government for their speech, not by a private employer.

Some of the protesters are mounting a defense saying that they were invited to march on the Capitol by President Trump, so they thought their actions were legitimate.

Anger has been building against the eight Pennsylvania Republican members of Congress who continued to challenge the Pennsylvania election results after they had been certified by the Electoral College and Gov. Tom Wolf, even after police had regained control of the Capitol and Congress returned to session to confirm the election results. Among them was Dan Meuser, whose district includes Carbon and Schuylkill counties.

A number of corporate contributors and Political Action Committees are rethinking their financial support to the 138 House and seven Senate members - all Republicans - who refused to vote to confirm Biden’s Pennsylvania victory.

We will find out whether there will be any ballot box backlash against Meuser the next time he seeks re-election, in 2022, but voters have notoriously short memories. He overwhelmingly won re-election to another two-year term in the Nov. 3 and was sworn in on Jan. 5.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com