It’s been nearly a year since former President Donald Trump lost re-election, which means he hasn’t recognized it yet. Since then, he and his close associates, including a pillow salesman, have worked to instill voter fraud nonsense in the minds of followers. Some were so enraged by their lies that they stormed the Capitol two months after the loss in a futile attempt to overturn the results. A federal judge didn’t mince words at a trial for one of the culprits.
According to CNN, Adam Johnson, the Jan. 6 rioter who was seen carrying Nancy Pelosi’s lectern through the building with a large smile on his face, had a plea hearing on Monday. He only succeeded in getting himself into trouble – and further humiliating Dinesh D’Souza. Johnson pleaded guilty, but only to a minor charge of entering and remaining in a prohibited structure or grounds. While he was doing so, Senior District Judge Reggie Walton reminded him that he had put himself in legal danger for no reason.
“Al Gore had a better case to argue than Mr. Trump, but he was a man about what happened to him,” Walton told the court. “He accepted it and walked away.”
Gore first conceded to his opponent, George W. Bush, in the 2000 election, but then reversed his mind after witnessing how close the contest was in Florida. A huge recount was conducted, but Gore surrendered for the second and final time on December 13, 36 days after the election, arguing that it was better for the country not to generate distrust in the election process. He was there for President Bush’s inauguration. Meanwhile, almost a year later, Trump has yet to admit it. He skipped the inauguration and walked right past his replacement, Joe Biden, on his first day at the White House.
Walton also upbraided Johnson himself. “What concerns me, sir, is that you were gullible enough to come to Washington, DC, from Florida based on a lie,” Walton told him. “And the person who inspired you to do what you do is still making those statements, and my concern is that you are gullible enough to do it again.”
Johnson was initially charged with three federal offenses, including theft of government property (i.e., the lectern), but as part of his plea deal, those charges will be withdrawn. He could still face up to six months in prison, as well as a $500 fine for the damage he caused on his trip to the Capitol. Johnson reportedly told the court he planned to publish a book about his ordeal, willing to let the government keep any money he earns from publicizing it for the next five years.
