The federal judge overseeing Donald Trump’s prosecution for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results dismissed the notion that the jailed January 6 defendants are “hostages.” This term has been used by the former president and his allies more frequently in recent weeks. According to the Associated Press, during the sentencing hearing for Capitol rioter Antony Vo, the judge stated, “They’re being kept there because they are dangerous people.” Vo had been attending a nightly vigil outside the Washington jail where the Capitol defendants are being held, which violated the terms of his release as previously ruled by Judge Tanya Chutkan. The judge expressed disbelief when a prosecutor described the vigil’s meeting point as “Freedom Corner,” rolling her eyes and shaking her head. On Truth Social and the campaign trail, Trump has repeatedly referred to his incarcerated supporters as “hostages” and promised to “Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned” if re-elected.
Trump’s D.C. Judge Criticizes ‘Hostage’ Label for Jan. 6 Defendants
