Federal Judge Condemns Downplaying of Jan. 6 Violence and Labeling Perpetrators as 'Hostages'

Federal judge Royce Lamberth criticizes attempts to downplay the severity of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, condemning false rhetoric and misinformation spread by political leaders, including former President Donald Trump and his allies. Lamberth warns that such destructive rhetoric poses a danger to the country and expresses dismay at efforts to rewrite history and portray convicted Jan. 6 defendants as "political prisoners" or "hostages." He issues his comments in connection with resentencing proceedings for a Jan. 6 misdemeanor defendant, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging wrongdoing and upholding the truth.