Judge questions why 'pawn' MAGA rioters are being sentenced to jail while Trump is still walking free

During a Friday sentencing hearing of MAGA rioter John Lolos, United States District Judge Amit Mehta reflected on the fact that former President Donald Trump has not yet been held accountable for telling the lies that incited the January 6th mob at the United States Capitol.

Just before sentencing Lolos to 14 days in prison, reports Buzzfeed News' Zoe Tillman, Mehta said it seemed unjust that Capitol rioters were bearing the brunt of consequences for their actions while those who riled them up with false claims of a stolen election are still free.

Specifically, Mehta argued that the Capitol rioters "were called to Washington, DC, by an elected official, prompted to walk to the Capitol by an elected official," who then stood by for hours while they started rioting on his behalf.

"People like Mr. Lolos were told lies and falsehoods and told that an election was stolen when it clearly was not," Mehta said. "Regrettably, people like Mr. Lolos for whatever reason are impressionable and will believe such falsehoods and such lies... And they are the ones who are suffering the consequences."

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In fact, Mehta said, Trump and those behind the "Stop the Steal" rally "in no meaningful sense of the word have been held to account."

Mehta then turned to Lolo and said, "You are a pawn in a game that's played and directed by people who should know better."

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