In Washington D.C‚ federal judges whove been dealing with Capitol riot cases for almost 4 years are now uneasy about the possibility of another violent outbreak as the 2024 election draws near. These judges dont shy away from voicing their concerns during sentencing hearings for the Jan 6 rioters.
U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton (appointed by President George W Bush) recently expressed his worries saying‚ “That sore loser is saying the same things he said before‚ Its not inconceivable that we will experience that same situation again and who knows? It could be worse.“ He was referring to Donald Trump without directly naming him.
Other judges share similar apprehensions. Judge Jia Cobb (a Biden appointee) mentioned‚ “It scares me to think about what will happen if anyone on either side is not happy with the results of the election.“ Judge Rudolph Contreras (an Obama nominee) also voiced his concerns while sentencing a rioter.
The judges use their platform to condemn attempts to downplay the Jan 6 violence and portray rioters as political prisoners. They emphasize the need to send a clear message that political violence wont be tolerated.
Since the Capitol attack‚ over 1500 people have been charged with federal crimes‚ and more than 1000 have been convicted and sentenced. About 650 received prison time ranging from a few days to 22 years.
Prosecutors argue that prison sentences are necessary to prevent future politically-motivated violence. They warn‚ “With the 2024 presidential election approaching and many loud voices in the media and online continuing to sow discord and distrust‚ the potential for a repeat of January 6 looms ominously.“
Some rioters show no remorse and even express pride in their actions. For instance:
- The first rioter to enter the Capitol texted his mother‚ “Ill go again given the opportunity“
- A Washington state man told a judge‚ “You can give me 100 years and Id do it all over again“
- A Kentucky nurse said in a TV interview‚ “I would do it again tomorrow“
These attitudes further fuel the judges concerns about the potential for future violence. As the election approaches‚ the courts continue to grapple with the aftermath of Jan 6 while trying to prevent its recurrence