Guy Reffitt is a high-profile Capitol riot defendant who threatened to kill his own family if they turned him in.
He was a militia recruiter; and on the day of the riot, had a gun with him on the Capitol steps, and brazenly spoke about committing physical violence against leaders of Congress.
Convicted by a jury of 5 felonies, he was sentenced on Monday, August 1, 2022, to 87 months in prison — the longest term given to a Capitol rioter so far. Prosecutors called him a “terrorist” and wanted much more.
Most of his family were in the courtroom. Back in March, when he was convicted, his wife was defiant and complained he was being made an example. (So what?) At his sentencing, his youngest daughter tried to shift blame to Trump: “My father’s name wasn’t on all the flags, he’s not the leader,” she told the judge — which is like arguing the only member of a Mafia gang guilty for its crimes is the godfather.
His son, who testified against him at his trial, wasn’t present for the sentencing. In a statement read to the court, he called his father’s actions “completely wrong.”
The judge emphasized Reffitt is no “patriot,” which many of the Capitol rioters called themselves. America’s patriots defend it, not try to overthrow its government.
Legal analysts pointed out that Reffitt’s was the first Capitol riot felony case to go to trial, and his lengthy sentence may incentivize others accused of committing serious crimes on Jan. 6, 2021, to seek plea deals to avoid a similar fate. But more fundamentally, the sentence reflects that this man is a danger to society. What’s more, he deserves it, especially after threatening to kill his own family members.
Trump has spoken of pardoning Capitol rioters if he’s elected again. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), who’s seeking reelection, brushed off the Jan. 6 violence by calling the rioters “tourists.” House Republicans promise retaliation for the investigation, which isn’t the partisan witch hunt they claim it is. Most of the witnesses are Republicans who worked for Trump. and the public hearings have focused on objective facts.
Pundits speculate whether Trump will be prosecuted (see story here). Proponents argue presidents aren’t above the law, and prosecuting him is necessary to deter future coup attempts. But whether he faces consequences or not, people are seeing there’s no safe harbor for those who helped him.
There shouldn’t be. Crimes shouldn’t get a free pass because they were politically motivated. “Get out of jail free” cards should exist only in board games.