Trump-nominated judge says blanket pardons for Capitol rioters would be 'beyond frustrating'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 5:03 PM EST, November 20, 2024


WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge who was nominated by Donald Trump says it would be “beyond frustrating and disappointing” if the president-elect hands out mass pardons to rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol after the 2020 election, a rare instance of judicial commentary on a politically divisive subject.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, who was appointed to the bench in June 2019, expressed his criticism during a hearing Tuesday at which he agreed to postpone a Capitol riot defendant’s trial until after Trump returns to the White House in January. During his campaign for a second term as president, Trump repeatedly referred to Jan. 6 rioters as “hostages” and “patriots” and said he “absolutely” would pardon rioters who assaulted police “if they’re innocent.”

Trump has suggested he would consider pardoning former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison after a jury convicted him of orchestrating a violent plot to keep Trump in power after the 2020 election. “Blanket pardons for all January 6 defendants or anything close would be beyond frustrating and disappointing, but that’s not my call,” Nichols said, according to a transcript. “And the possibility of some pardons, at least, is a very real thing.”

Nichols is one of over 20 judges who have presided over more than 1,500 cases against people charged in a mob’s attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Many Capitol riot defendants have asked for post-election delays in their cases, but judges largely have denied their requests and forged ahead with sentencings, guilty pleas and other hearings.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/capitol-riot-trump-pardons-judge-carl-nichols-17d0d2587ee5635218428c2eaafad821

[Demovictory9]

1. That Tiger guy thought he was getting a pardon during Trump's 1st term

[John Shaft]

2. The Social Contract in the United States "experiment" is irrevocably broken

We now live in a lawless, rogue state.

Laws for plebes not for thee.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. "The Social Contract in the United States "experiment" is irrevocably broken"

I call it "the honor system", and the GOP has brutally and effectively broken it.

[Irish_Dem]

4. Exactly. There is no honor system where there is no honor.

And that is all our government was based on.
An honor system and gentlemen's agreement.

All of the things we learned as school children, were all lies.
Separation of church and state.
Three independent branches of government.
A nation of laws.

I didn't realize how fragile and weak our democracy is.

[Marthe48]

5. I won't voluntarily strip myself of honor

So I'm avoiding community. Their loss.

[Irish_Dem]

6. I will hang on to mine as well.

Even though we will be the minority and relics of a bygone era.

[bdamomma]

7. The threat

came from within and those who are embedded in our own government. Heritage Foundation, Leonard Leo, Opus Dei, Koch Brothers, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and many more.

To make people believe that democracy was too messy, well those who voted for this narcissistic sick man/child are going to learn quickly that their choices have bad consequences for everyone.

[Irish_Dem]

8. Yes there will be a steep leaning curve.

And it will not be a pretty lesson.

[Ligyron]

13. If it's not codified into law, they simply ignore tradition and norms and do whatever they want.

Think we'll ever get any of those codified into law with the help of the GQP?

Not even a sliver of a chance.

I'm gonna fight like hell but I fear the USA may be done as a democracy in which case, thank gawd I'm old.

[Irish_Dem]

14. Trump doesn't even follow the law and there are no consequences.

So codifying something into law is a waste of time.

[lakeguy]

9. why postpone the trial?

A pardon doesn't mean you suddenly are not guilty or take a felony record away. It just gets you outta jail. Let those bastards keep their records and suffer. Good luck landing a decent job with a record, unless TFG is going to hire them with their no background check shit.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. IIRC, a "pardon" does a complete wipe

but a "commutation" takes away the sentence.

These were the ones he did on the way out in 2020 - https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/full-list-trump-s-last-minute-pardons-commuted-sentences-n1254806

[Bluetus]

12. That Judge's statement is one of the most cynical things I have heard in a long time.

He knows that if the trial has not completed by Jan 20, Trump will gut the DoJ and end that trial. If this judge actually meant a single word of what he said, he would put this in the fast track to be completed and sentenced/imprisoned (if guilty) this year.

[tonekat]

11. There should be a "greeting party"

Any of these bums who get pardoned should be met by a crowd with bats and pipes on their release.

[maxsolomon]

15. Careful, Nichols - don't put a target on your back.

Better to embrace the New Order pre-emptively.

[jalan48]

16. That's exactly what I think when I see those Nazi's marching around with Swastika Flags. Beyond Frustrating!

[skypilot]

17. "disappointing"

There's a word I'm really sick of.