Federal Judge Says It ‘Doesn’t Take Much Imagination’ to Imagine Trump Inciting Another Riot Like Jan. 6

By: Ben Campbell | Published: Apr 03, 2024

A US Federal Judge who sentenced many Trump supporters involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots suggests it might not be the last event of its kind. 

U.S. District Judge Rudolph “Rudy” Contreras recently voiced his concern about the possibility of the former president inciting another riot in the near future.

Judge Rudy Sentences Geophysicist

Rudy sentenced several Trump supporters involved in the Jan.6 riots, including Jeffrey Sablo, a geophysicist from Colorado, per NBC News

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An image of U.S. District Judge Rudolph “Rudy” Contreras alongside a woman dressed in a yellow shirt

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Sabol was sentenced to serve over five years in federal prison for the role he took during the violent protest, which saw several police officers injured. 

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The 2020 Election Was Stolen

During questioning with the FBI, Sabol mentioned several times that he thoroughly believed the 2020 election was stolen.

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Joe Biden pictured during his presidential inauguration in 2020

Source: Wikimedia

The geophysicist suggested numerous people had tampered with Dominion voting machines throughout the presidential election.

Jan 6. Rioter Claims He Was Filled With Patriotic Rage

Sabol stood by his decision to take part in the riots, claiming he was filled with “patriotic rage” on the day.

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A photograph taken during the storming of the United States Capitol in 2021

Source: Wikimedia

He claims a “call to battle was announced” and that he “answered the call because he was a patriot warrior,” per NBC News.

Rudy Foresees Another Violent Riot in the Aftermath of the 2024 Presidential Election

Contreras said Trump, alongside his allies, had motivated people like Sabol to launch the attack on the Capitol. 

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An image of Judge Rudy Contreras dressed in black attire

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According to the federal judge, the former president may try to instigate another riot during the lead-up to this year’s presidential election or after it, should he lose.

Federal Judge Foresees Another Jan. 6 Riot

Contreras went on to say he wouldn’t be surprised if another event similar to Jan. 6 took place sometime in the next few months. 

An image of several members of the Proud Boys during the Jan. 6 riots

Source: Wikimedia

“It doesn’t take much imagination to imagine a similar call coming out in the coming months,” Contreras said in March.

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Sabol Has Already Served Most of His Sentence

Sabol was seen assaulting numerous police officers during the Jan. 6 riots and has been held on pretrial since he was arrested on Jan. 11, 2021. 

A man is pictured standing in his jail cell

Source: Wikimedia

As a result, the geophysicist has already served more than half of his five-year sentence. 

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Jan. 6 Rioter Attempts to Flee the Country

Just before he was arrested, Sabol attempted to destroy his laptop by placing it in a microwave oven and went as far as to submerge his phone in water. 

An image of a man with his hands cuffed behind his back

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After this, he attempted to board a flight to Switzerland before being detained. At his sentencing, Contreras ordered the geophysicist to pay over $32,000 in restitution and said he would serve three years of supervised release. 

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Trump Issues a Call to Arms

People like Contreras are under the impression that Trump’s “will be wild” tweet that led to the Jan. 6 riots was essentially a call to arms for people like Sabol.

Donald Trump pictured making a speech to a large crowd

Source: Wikimedia

Hundreds of people have been convicted for the role they played during the riots, with many arguing their actions came as a result of Trump claiming the election was stolen. 

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Trump Should Be Held Accountable for Jan. 6, Says Federal Judges

Several federal judiciary members in Washington are under the impression that Trump should be held responsible for the events of Jan. 6.

Donald Trump pictured in a suit and striped tie during a speech

Source: Wikimedia

Speaking at a separate trial, Contreras said that Trump and those who stood by his side should “bear responsibility for what occurred that day.”

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Federal Judge Calls Out the Republican Party

In a previous Jan. 6 sentencing, Judge Amy Berman Jackson took aim at the Republican party for their role in the aftermath of the Jan 6. riots.

An image of a female judge holding a wooden hammer in her hand

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She said the Republican party was “actively shunning the few who think standing up for principle is more important than power and have stepped forward to educate the public and to speak the truth.”

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The Election Lie Is Still Being Propagated

“The lie that the election was stolen or illegitimate is still being propagated,” said Jackson.

A woman pictured in a purple shirt is pictured placing her vote in a box

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Indeed, it’s being amplified, not only on extremist social media sites but on mainstream news outlets.” She continued, “And worse, it’s become heresy for a member of the former president’s party to say otherwise.”

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