Jan. 6 Capitol Riot: Judges and Defendants Fear for American Democracy.

Federal Judge Reggie Walton, who has handled a series of Jan. 6 cases, warned of the risk of future political violence and the dangers of ongoing misinformation and denialism regarding the Capitol attack. He sentenced 21-year-old Aiden Bilyard to 40 months in prison for deploying bear spray against police during the insurrection and smashing open a Capitol window with a metal bat. Walton criticized people who are following "the calls of a demagogue" and said that democracy remains endangered. He also warned of the danger of the spread of misinformation about the Capitol riot.