The federal court in Washington, D.C., is actively challenging the conspiracy theories still making the rounds about Jan. 6.
Judges Against Jan. 6 Claims
Judges at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia are taking a stand against claims made by Jan. 6 defendants and their supporters.
Prisoners or Hostages?
The judges are not holding back in debunking these claims, which range from calling the Jan. 6 defendants “hostages” to suggesting the Capitol riot was instigated by government informants.
Refusing ‘to accept they did anything wrong’
Judge Royce Lamberth, in particular, made it clear during a sentencing hearing for a Jan. 6 defendant that the court is no stranger to defendants who just can’t admit they were in the wrong.
Judge Shocked
“But in my 37 years on the bench, I cannot recall a time when such meritless justifications of criminal activity have gone mainstream,” Lamberth expressed.
Rewriting History?
“I have been dismayed to see outright distortions and outright falsehoods creep into the public consciousness,” the judge added. “I have been shocked to watch some public figures try to rewrite history, claiming rioters behaved in an orderly fashion like ordinary tourists, or martyrizing convicted Jan. 6 defendants as political prisoners or even, incredibly, hostages. That is all preposterous.”
Historical Reminder
At a recent sentencing, Judge Ana Reyes had strong words for rioters likening themselves to the Founding Fathers: “I feel the need to give everyone a certain history lesson. Because there are people who believe and continue to believe that the election was stolen and that it is in the best tradition of our American Founding Fathers to rebel against tyranny.”
A Call to Read Washington
“I suggest that you read President Washington’s farewell address. Because in it he warned Americans to ‘guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.’ And he warned, ‘There will always be reasons to distrust the patriotism who in any quarter may endeavor to weaken the bonds of our democratic experiment,'” Reyes added.
Sentencing Frustrations
Reyes shared her deep frustration about the difficulties in sentencing individuals who, before Jan. 6, had never broken the law. “I hate this. I hate all of this. I hate having to have these conversations. I hate that these conversations exist. I hate having to talk to two law-abiding individuals in this way,” she expressed.
“I can’t tell you how much I just hate all of it.”
Anticipation Before the Storm
On the morning of January 6, a large crowd gathered in Washington, D.C., fueled by weeks of rhetoric and claims of a stolen election. The air was charged with anticipation as then-President Donald Trump addressed his supporters at a rally near the White House, urging them to “fight like hell” to save their country.
The Breakdown of Barriers
As Congress convened to certify the Electoral College results affirming Joe Biden’s victory, the atmosphere outside the Capitol turned from tense to volatile. Demonstrators, driven by a mix of passion and anger, marched towards the Capitol building. Protesters clashed with the Capitol Police, breaking through barriers and overwhelming the officers.
Shifting Narratives Over Time
As the years have passed, the sharp edges of outrage have dulled, giving rise to different narratives about what went down and why. In the three years following the Capitol attack, there has been a mix of conspiracy theories, misinformation, and for some, a reshaped version of truth.
Over 900 Convictions and Counting
The chaos of that day was broadcast live and has been scrutinized in countless investigations, with over 900 people convicted for their role in what’s been labeled an insurrection. Still, a significant chunk of Americans view it through a different lens.
Persisting Belief in Conspiracy
Tom Jeffries, who rallied at the Capitol in solidarity with those from three years back, insists, “My view is that there was a set-up. People were tricked into going inside the Capitol building. I think that evidence is coming out more and more every day, and I’m very happy to see that.”
Capitol Police Under Fire
This incident sparked a wave of criticism towards law enforcement. Key figures in the Capitol Police stepped down, and the FBI has opened more than 1,200 case files in a massive criminal probe.
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