A federal judge has handed down the first felony sentence in the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, sending a Tampa man to prison for eight months for obstructing Congress’ effort to tabulate and certify the electoral vote. Eight months? Is that all? I think we need to send a stronger message then that, but that’s just me. Paul Hodgkins holds a Trump flag and stands in the well of the U.S. Senate floor during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. U.S. Capitol Police via AP Paul Hodgkins holds a Trump flag and stands in the well of the U.S. Senate floor during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The sentence Paul Hodgkins, 38, received Monday for marching onto the Senate floor with a Trump flag during the chaotic Capitol takeover was less than half of what prosecutors recommended, but U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss also turned down the defense’s request that Hodgkins get no prison time.
As he imposed the sentence, Moss said that Hodgkins sent a profound and dangerous message by raising the Trump flag by the Senate dais at the hour members of Congress were supposed to be confirming President Joe Biden’s victory. “The symbolism of that act is unmistakable,” the judge said. “In that act, he captured the threat to democracy that we all witnessed that day. People have to know that assaulting the United States Capitol and impeding the democratic process, even if you don’t come bearing arms, will have consequences.” If you have seen the Tom Cruise movie “Valkyrie,” 2008, you know that you absolutely “must” have the support of the military. They didn’t, so I don’t know what in the hell they ever thought they could accomplish? (The Gabber)
