THREAD: We're reaching a new chapter in the prosecution of accused US Capitol Insurrectionists

And it's illustrated by the court filing Friday night from Robert Gieswein, who's accused of wearing riot gear, wielding a baseball bat on front lines & wielding Anti-Semitism too

In Gieswein's case (and many others) - the feds have sought extra time to proceed with the prosecution because of the tonnage of cases and evidence.

This week - for the first time - the Justice Dept indicated total arrests could top 500

But Gieswein's new court filing says he doesn't wanna wait for his case to be heard.

For a few reasons. He's been locked up for months - and doesn't wait to wait in jail much longer

Inmates at the DC Jail (it's "Central Treatment Facility") are isolated to their cells. DC jail officials tell me some inmates get their "rec time" at 2am.. due to COVID and court restrictions.

Gieswein cites the situation in the jail to argue for speedier process of his case

But the Justice Dept *is* navigating a tidal wave of evidence, discovery, tips and case filings.

210,000 tips, thousands of videos and a big pile of phones to search

They're getting extra help, but can they proceed more quickly in Gieswein *and* other cases, if requested?

The Justice Dept has until May 6 to respond to Gieswein's request. I'll keep watching it @nbcwashington