Queens Republican district leader arrested for role in Capitol insurrection
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Queens Republican District Leader Philip Grillo was arrested for his alleged role in the U.S. Capitol insurrection. Photo via Facebook
By David Brand
A Republican district leader from Queens was arrested Tuesday and charged with various offenses for storming the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6.
FBI agents arrested Philip Grillo, a former candidate in the special election for Queens Council District 24, at his girlfriend’s home in Glen Oaks after identifying him by a Knights of Columbus jacket he was wearing inside the Capitol, federal prosecutors said.
Grillo is charged with obstructing an official proceeding, trespassing and other offenses for his alleged role in the Capitol insurrection. A federal magistrate judge ordered Grillo released on $100,000 bond Tuesday afternoon.
Grillo, 46, goes by “The Republican Messiah” on Facebook and lives in Glen Oaks. He is a district leader in Assembly District 24, which he identifies as “President Trumps Hometown District” on his Facebook page.
He attempted to run as a placeholder candidate in the Feb. 2 special election for an open Central Queens council seat before getting kicked off the ballot.
He did not respond to a message seeking comment Monday.
Other Queens Republicans said they were surprised to learn Grillo had allegedly participated in the insurrection.
“I’m really shocked to hear that. Phil is a very committed Republican and I would say he’s a principled Republican, but he never struck me as someone who would resort to that behavior,” said Councilmember Eric Ulrich.
Ulrich said Grillo helped mainstream Republicans in Queens “push back against the kooky wing of the party,” such as QAnon supporters and conspiracy theorists.
“I would never think he’d be someone to do something like that, with being part of an insurrection,” Ulrich said. “It’s inexcusable and it seems he will have to pay the price.
Queens County Republican Party Chairperson Joann Ariola, a candidate for city council, said she was “taken aback” to learn of Grillo’s arrest.
“He is a good Republican who worked hard for the party to elect officials from the party who were moderates and definitely not from the rightwing of the party,” she said.
Grillo will be arraigned in Brooklyn federal court this afternoon.
He is the first Queens Republican leader to be arrested for his alleged role in the D.C. riot.
Ex-State Senate candidate Elisa Nahoum participated in the peaceful march and filmed videos as people began entering the Capitol building, but did not join in on the attack. “I didn’t storm into the Capitol. I’m a respectful woman,” she told the Eagle two days after the insurrection.
Two other Queens residents face federal charges for allegedly threatening to kill lawmakers, though they did not travel to D.C. for the attack.
