No crocodile tears, these.
“The first person sentenced to hard time for … the January 6 Capitol riot was seen saying an emotional farewell to his girlfriend … after he admitted his guilt in court,” the U.K.-based tabloid Daily Mail reported on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.
“Both Paul Hodgkins and the … woman appeared on the verge of tears … after getting the news that he has to serve a prison sentence,” the Daily Mail said; read its story here.
Hodgkins was a rioter, not a protester. That makes him a criminal. He broke into the U.S. Capitol with other rioters to disrupt the 2020 election. That was an attack on our form of government, and an assault on our freedom. He deserves his 8-month prison sentence, and zero sympathy.
Some may argue he got off too lightly, but the important thing is he’s punished. The principle matters more than the sentence. He’s no victim of zealous or politically-motivated prosecution; the FBI and federal prosecutors have been careful to distinguish between lawful protest and criminal behavior.
It’s perfectly legal for Trump’s supporters to be bad sports, throw tantrums, and act like babies over losing the election, but a line must be drawn at attempting to violently overthrow our elected government. That’s waging war against our rights as citizens, and there’s nothing noble or honorable about it.
Unfortunately Joe Biden is unlikely to emulate George Washington and pardon all or even some of these people. If you truly wish to bring the country together and promote reconciliation that would be the wise path.
How about a prisoner swap? Maybe Gov. DeSantis will trade Rebekkah Jones for this guy.