Federal judge to Capitol rioter during sentencing: Trump lied to you and now you’re paying the consequences

During the sentencing of Capitol rioter John Lolos, Federal Judge Amit Mehta told him that he’s in his current predicament thanks to the lies he believed from former President Donald Trump, POLITICO reports.

“People like Mr. Lolos were told lies, were told falsehoods, were told the election was stolen when it was not. Regrettably, people like Mr. Lolos who were told those lies took it to heart. And they are the ones paying the consequences,” Mehta said before sentencing Lolos to 14 days in jail and $500 in restitution.

“Those who created the conditions that lead to Mr. Lolos’ conduct have in no meaningful measure been held accountable,” Judge Mehta added.

“In a sense, Mr. Lolos, I think you were a pawn,” Mehta added. “You were a pawn in a game directed and played by people who should know better. I think that mitigates your conduct.”

“Once you hear people who should know better tell you that an election was stolen and they say it loudly enough, frequently enough,” he said, “it’s not surprising that people will believe it.”

According to CNN, “Mehta is one of the first to call out Trump — although not by name — for using his supporters for political gain and then abandoning those supporters to suffer the consequences, something Mehta believes should perhaps weigh in favor of lighter sentences for January 6 defendants charged with less serious crimes.”

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.