"First to be clear, I believe as almost any reasonable person should, that violence and deliberate property damage should be prosecuted no matter who perpetrates the crime. And anyone who activity encourages others, by speech or actions to participate in violence and property damage, should also be prosecuted.

But I also believe in the 1st amendment right to peaceful protest or demonstration."

But that's the challenge, right?

For every person who stormed the Capitol building, how many others were there that couldn't attend...but would have liked to? What about the protesters outside who didn't enter the Capitol, but instead chose to stay outside and wave their flags? Are they peaceful protesters, or insurrectionists?

"In some cases, these protests got far worse after our own POTUS specifically ordered federal agents into the area to crack down on the protestors."

It would appear that you're in approval of the government not sending in reinforcements to the Capitol, as it may have only led to the protesters becoming even more agitated.

Is that the case? Would defunding the police have led to a better outcome at the Capitol?

"Insurrectionists. Or at least they have crossed the line away from a "peaceful" protest. They broke through the barricades. They were illegally where they were not allowed to be. They broke the law. If you break the law, you should be charged."

Would you apply that evenly to all "peaceful" protesters who might be protesting in the vicinity of those engaged in violent political activity?

"If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both."

Does standing on the steps of the Capitol while waving a confederate flag legally meet that criteria?

"Although you clearly don't understand what people really mean when they talk about defunding the police, nobody ever suggested defunding the Capitol Police."

But it's good, right, that the Capitol (Federal) police pulled back? That had they stayed around, they may have just inflamed the crowd which would have resulted in even more violence?