DC judges warn of 'threat to democracy' to coming presidential election when sentencing J6 defendants

US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly told a 23-year-old J6 defendant in a her courtroom as she sentenced him to 27 months that "unless democracy is protected, it will be destroyed." 

Kollar-Kotelly was speaking to Clifford Mackrell who allegedly assaulted a Capitol Police officer during on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC.

According to CBS News, Kollar-Kotelly mentioned an "insurrection" 10 times during his court proceedings, however, none of the J6 defendants have been charged with insurrection.  

The judge's comments are part of the rising rhetoric of remarks that claim "democracy is on the ballot" in November, despite that ballot election being part of the democratic process.  

Trump has pledged to pardon many of the J6 defendants who did not "get out of control" during the events. Over 1,300 have been arrested and charged by Biden's Department of Justice.

Some Capitol Police Officers have not taken kindly to Trump's remarks about the potential pardons.

Former Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who testified in a hearing in Congress on March 7, told CBS he is alarmed over Trump's pledge.

"It's inciteful language," Fanone told the outlet. "If he succeeds and holds office again, he is going to weaponize the Department of Justice and use it to go after people like myself."   

Another judge said she believes that there are public figures trying to "rewrite history" of the events.  

This all comes as reports have been released showing that the J6 Committee hid evidence about Trump calling for 10,000 National Guard troops to be in the capital city that day. 

Other J6 defendants have gotten the book thrown at for with non-violent crimes while at the Capitol, resulting in many conservatives protesting jail time. Even some journalist have faced charges as well.