Jan. 6 Rioter Sentenced to 55 Months

Image copyright: Getty Images [via Forbes]

The Facts

  • Joshua Pruitt, a 40-year-old Maryland man who has been affiliated with the far-right Proud Boys group, was sentenced on Mon. to 55 months in federal prison for partaking in the US Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

  • He pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding on June 6. He was caught on video pursuing police officers and destroying a sign inside the Capitol.


The Spin

Democratic narrative

Most people convicted for their involvement in the Jan. 6 riots are receiving relatively lenient sentences, which allows for truth and reconciliation. But a wider message must still be sent regarding more serious offenders in order to protect democracy in the US.

Pro-Trump narrative

It's absurd to prosecute those who participated in the Jan. 6 protests with such ferocity. The Democrats are the real anti-Americans, demonizing patriotic citizens as "domestic terrorists."


Articles on this story