Judge has sentenced Treniss Evans to 20 days jail in Capitol riot case. Feds argued Evans raised a megaphone while inside and declared “bring ‘em in”.. and drank whiskey in Congressional conference room
But his sentencing hearing.... was unlike any I've seen
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Evans spoke at his sentencing hearing... for nearly two hours. He was admonished by court for repeating himself, for interrupting the judge and for speaking too quickly
Among his statements: "Sure, I drank a shot of my whiskey, then.... someone else's whiskey" on Jan 6
Evans used the refrain used by so many Jan 6 defendants .. saying he was "caught up in the moment"
But some of his exchanges with judge were unique. He said, after the 2020 election, the "courts failed the people.. and Congress failed the people"
Still questioning 2020
Treniss Evans leaned in hard on his political views... saying America is tired of hearing about the investigation of January 6. He said "In January, with the new Congress, there'll be new types of investigations"
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Treniss Evans blamed Black Lives Matter and Antifa for violence and said he was "appalled by the violence on January 20, 2017"
He told judge: "If you give me 10 years in prison, I'm not gonna change what I saw on social media"
He hinted at a future run for Congress
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Judge Dabney Friedrich countered many of Evans' arguments.
When Evans argued "The window was destroyed before I got there"...
Friedrich questioned: "But you knew the window was broken, you didn't think that was an accident, did you?"
At times Evans cut off the judge mid-sentence. When Evans said "How would we have known the (Capitol) was restricted?" on Jan 6...
The judge responded: "Well there were alarms blaring!"
Evans complained of a "two-tiered" justice system, referenced comments by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX).. hinted at a future political run some more
Several times Evans alleged police were taking selfies & exchanging hugs with people in the mob
Evans said, several times, that he drove "1500 miles" to get to DC on Jan 6, after having canvassed in Georgia. He said there was never violence at the "Stop the Steal" rallies he'd attended. And said he sang the national anthem 5-7 times aloud in DC on Jan 6
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At one point of Evans' remarks, the judge responded: "What you say doesn't ring true"
After the lengthy, at times political, remarks.. Treniss Evans was unable to avoid a jail sentence. 20 days jail, $5000 fine, 3-years probation
The Justice Dept was seeking 60-days jail. So this strategy didn’t noticeably hurt Evans
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Attorneys are entering courtroom here at DC federal court
Judge James Boasberg has 3pm hearing to get to the bottom of why his orders to "turn the planes around" wasn't complied with last month.. When Trump Administration used 18th century law to deport Venezuelans
Judge Boasberg doesn't waste time. He opens hearing noting the "public attention" being attracted by these deportations of Venezuelan nationals.. and the court order that was NOT complied with
Judge asks DOJ to confirm that they *knew* his order didn't prevent gang members from remaining jailed.... and didn't prevent them from being deported thru normal means
FLASH: Law firm Jenner and Block sues Trump Administration over executive order targeting the firm
They allege order is unlawful and a violation of first amendment
Jenner and Block:
“Order threatens not only Jenner, but also its clients and the legal system itself. Our Constitution, top to bottom, forbids attempts by the government to punish citizens and lawyers based on the clients they represent, the positions they advocate, the opinions they voice, and the people with whom they associate.”
Jenner and Block (more):
“These orders send a clear message to the legal profession: Cease certain representations adverse to the government and renounce the Administration’s critics—or suffer the consequences. The orders also attempt to pressure businesses and individuals to question or even abandon their associations with their chosen counsel,
and to chill bringing legal challenges at all.”
Chief Judge James Boasberg says the Justice Dept was late and evasive with its filing today, answering his questions about last weekend's deportation flight of alleged Venezuelan gang members
New deadlines set... *and* there's a hearing TOMORROW at 230pm
According to Judge Boasberg's order moments ago: The Dept of Justice had an acting ICE field officer argue "I understand that Cabinet Secretaries are currently actively considering whether to invoke the state secrets privilege over the other facts requested by the Court’s order. Doing so is a serious matter that requires careful consideration of national security and foreign relations, and it cannot properly be undertaken in just 24 hours.”
Judge James Boasberg is pretty blunt in his response to today's argument from the Justice Dept:
President Biden issues pre-emptive pardons to "General Mark A. Milley, Anthony S. Fauci, the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee"
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President Biden statement: "The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country"
President Biden (MORE): "The Select Committee fulfilled this mission with integrity and a commitment to discovering the truth. Rather than accept accountability, those who perpetrated the January 6th attack have taken every opportunity to undermine and intimidate those who participated in the Select Committee in an attempt to rewrite history, erase the stain of January 6th for partisan gain, and seek revenge, including by threatening criminal prosecutions"