J6 Terrorist Successfully Threatens Judge Into Postponing Trial

Recently, it seemed that one of Donald Trump’s mob of terrorists who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021, managed to make the situation worse for himself. Will Pope, known on social media as “FreeStateWill,” recently threatened the judge assigned to his case with “retribution” if it went to trial, and somehow it worked. For the first time, a J6 terrorist successfully threatened a judge into postponing a trial.

On Thursday, over very reasonable objections from the Justice Department, two federal judges postponed J6 defendants’ trials because while the defendants committed crimes, they feel it is pointless to expend court resources on trials that will likely be halted once Trump assumes office on January 21, 2025. This includes U.S. District judges Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, and Rudolph Contreras. The latter, appointed by Obama, is the one Pope threatened.

In a recent filing, Pope told the judge that “wielding extreme government force can lead to a dangerous cycle of escalating retribution as control of the government continues changing hands” and that “it would be wise to…view this as a final opportunity to make peace and take two weeks off in December.”

Judge Contreras has put off trial of J6 defendant who "warn[ed]" him of "cycle of retribution" & "final opportunity to make peace." Judge cited judicial economy, in light of likelihood of Trump pardon. https://t.co/eWo3Ibv32x pic.twitter.com/zsTb9m2nX6

— Roger Parloff (@rparloff) November 14, 2024

The meaning was clear: back off Judge, or I or Trump will make you regret it. Nevertheless, Contreras capitulated. Federal judges have typically been lenient in sentencing J6 terrorists, with over 82 percent doling out far less punishment than the prosecution asked for.

Justice Isn’t Blind. It’s Dead.

Pope already had an easy time of things. Thanks to Trump’s Supreme Court, the terrorists’ felony charge had already been dropped and he only faced a misdemeanor charge in December. But now, that has been postponed until February to give Trump time to pardon every single criminal who attacked the Capitol.

Contreras, apparently afraid for his future if he angered Trump, admitted that a pardon is something that could happen and chose to ignore the open threats. The Trump-appointed judge set her defendant’s trial date for April, postponing all other deadlines.

Typically, federal judges have refused to give J6 terrorists special treatment, calling pardons “speculative.” Politico reports:

Other judges on the federal bench in D.C. had declined to go as far as Contreras and Nichols. Instead, they’ve described defendants’ requests for pardons as “speculative” and said the courts can’t operate on the “potential” for a pardon, which is a function of the executive branch, not the judiciary.

“Whatever the President-elect may or may not do with respect to some of those convicted for their conduct at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is irrelevant to the court’s independent obligations and legal responsibilities under Article III of the Constitution,” U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman, wrote in a one-page ruling Thursday denying an effort by two Jan. 6 defendants to postpone their sentencing.

Contreras says he is worried about resources, but prosecutors have been clear that they planned to put on an “efficient” case. But Contreras refuses to reconsider. After all, he has his own ass to watch out for.

Recently, Trump’s own criminal sentencing in New York was delayed because for some reason we need to balance his crime and his guilt with the added difficulties of him being elected President. Justice is dead, and the “Party of Law and Order” killed it.