Capitol rioters could be let off without charges if non-violent, report claims

US authorities are reportedly debating whether people who stormed the Capitol building should avoid charges amid concerns courts will be swamped.

Agents and prosecutors in the US Justice Department are reportedly debating whether to let some of the Capitol rioters off without charge, amid fears the huge number of cases would swamp the courts. 

As many as 800 people are estimated to have stormed the Capitol on January 6 but some officials are arguing those who didn't participate in violence and vandalism should escape charges, the Washington Post reported. 

Meanwhile, a man charged over the Capitol riots allegedly threatened to "assassinate" a Democratic Congresswoman and warned it was "hunting season".

Texas man Garret Miller, who was arrested on Wednesday and faces five criminal charges including trespassing and making death threats, posted on social media before and during the incident, saying a "civil war could start" and "next time we bring the guns".

His lawyer Clint Broden told CNN his client "certainly regrets what he did" and that "a lot of the comments, as viewed in context, are really sort of misguided political hyperbole".

It comes amid revelations Joe Biden was backed by a record amount of dark money donors during his presidential campaign.

Mr Biden's campaign attracted about $188 million in dark money donations from anonymous sources, despite the Democrats previously being critical of the dark money practice.

It means the public will never know exactly who helped secure Mr Biden's victory.

His dark money donations also broke a record, topping the  previous record of $146 million that went to Republican senator Mitt Romney in 2012, and drawfing the $37 million brought in by Donald Trump.

Read on for all the latest updates from the US.