Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one. A federal judge, Timothy Kelly, has dismissed the seditious conspiracy case against several Proud Boys members, essentially undoing one of the Biden administration’s biggest wins against those involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. I mean, I’ve seen some twists and turns in my time, but this one’s a doozy. The judge, a Trump appointee, begrudgingly agreed to drop the case, saying he lacks the authority to compel the Executive to pursue a prosecution. Well, that’s a pretty fancy way of saying the Trump administration got its way.
The case against the four Proud Boys members – Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola – has been a big deal, with convictions for seditious conspiracy and other charges related to the January 6 attack. But now, it seems like all that hard work is being undone. The Trump administration has been clear about its intentions to extend clemency to those involved in the attack, and it looks like they’re making good on that promise. I’m not sure what’s more surprising, the fact that the judge agreed to drop the case or that the Trump administration is actually following through on its promises.
The judge’s order is a real treat to read, with some pretty choice words about the insurrection. He calls it a “perilous event” and notes that it was an attack on the US Capitol, the police officers who were injured, and the Constitution’s mechanism for the peaceful transfer of power. He even throws in a quote from President Reagan, because why not? It’s not every day you get to see a judge sounding like a civics teacher. But in all seriousness, the judge’s warning that the American people need to come together to preserve and protect the country’s constitutional framework is a sobering one.
The Proud Boys members involved in the case are, of course, thrilled about the dismissal. One of them, Zachary Rehl, took to social media to celebrate, saying “Finally, it’s all over! January 6th can now be a thing of the past for me!” And Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the group, was quick to boast about the victory, saying “Justice is served! Proud Boys don’t lose. We win. This is our victory.” I’m not sure what kind of justice they’re talking about, but I suppose it’s all about perspective.
Trump has been consistent in his support for those involved in the January 6 attack, calling it a “day of love and peace” and claiming his supporters posed “zero threat.” I’m not sure what kind of alternative reality he’s living in, but it’s certainly not the one I’m familiar with. The video clips of Trump supporters beating police with flagpoles and engaging in hand-to-hand combat with police officers are a far cry from “love and peace.” But hey, I guess that’s just the power of positive thinking.
In conclusion, this whole ordeal has been a wild ride, and I’m not sure what to make of it all. The dismissal of the case against the Proud Boys members is a significant development, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out in the end. As the judge so eloquently put it, the American people need to come together to preserve and protect the country’s constitutional framework. And I think we can all agree on that, even if we don’t agree on much else. So, here’s to hoping that somehow, someway, we can all just get along and make it through the next 250 years without too much more drama. Ha! Who am I kidding? That’s just crazy talk.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
