Today was supposed to be the day I promised myself and many others that I would take a stand before the selectively weaponized and corrupt Department of Justice and Washington, DC court system. After three and a half years of preparation for this day, I decided in my own mind, perhaps naively, that I would get my very own Mr. Smith is going to Washington,” I assert my position.
My case is based on the selective prosecution of not only me but all of the January 6th defendants who were treated far more harshly than those who acted equally or caused far more violence and property damage. It's a lawsuit. this In the summer of 2020, on January 20, 2017, and more recently during this year's pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
My trial will be nothing but a disgrace.
Although I was not charged with violence against law enforcement or property damage, many people see my case as a clear example of selective prosecution, and that on January 6th I was not charged with assault or property damage. It deemed it a violation of the First Amendment right to speak up. in front and rear We arrived at the National Diet Building.
But while I was documenting some of the protests and riots for about two hours, I acted as professionally as any other reporter or photojournalist on the scene. They included approximately 80 to 100 media personnel of all types who also deliberately entered the restricted space without government permission. Law enforcement.
However, the court did not allow me to begin the defense I wanted at today's trial. The court also denied our discovery request regarding how the government decided there was no need to indict the other 80 to 100 media members who were similarly indicted, denying our right to show selective prosecution. denied. obviously, provably, and without law enforcement permission They broke through an outdoor barricade with clearly marked “no-go zone” signs and accompanied both violent and peaceful protesters through broken windows and doors.
Following the court's last-minute refusal at a pretrial hearing last Wednesday, I directed my attorney to notify the Department of Justice and the court of my intention to change my plea to “guilty” on all four misdemeanor charges.
As one of my lawyers stated, my trial would be nothing but a disgrace. Apart from the fact that a J6 trial in this court is a no-win scenario, I have decided today to deny the government the opportunity to subject me to its pointless and time-wasting exercise in humiliation.
The government also withdrew the plea offer, but if I had taken the plea deal earlier in the process, I would have been able to plead guilty to the single charge of glorified trespassing, but on appeal. He would also have had to give up his right to do so. Unfortunately, there is no “no contest” option in federal court, and the court denied our request to proceed, leaving me with no time to seek an “Alford plea” that would have allowed me to plead not guilty on appeal. There wasn't. process.
In taking this action today, I am not only denying the government's shameful actions, but also denying President Trump the right to appeal if his campaign promise to pardon all non-violent January 6th defendants is not fulfilled. hold.
Nevertheless, I will continue to fight this weaponized justice system for as long as necessary in the courts of public opinion and in Congress in the coming months and years.
