Yesterday, Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan sentenced a January 6th rioter from Utah who stole a decorative flag while unlawfully within the Capitol building during the infamous insurrection. The rioter also recorded himself on that occasion saying that he was willing to “die for Trump.” Except for the theft of the flag which has since been retrieved from the defendant’s home, the only charges presented were “Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds”; “Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds”; “Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building” and “Parading, Demonstrating or Picketing in a Capitol Building.” Therefore, the defendant was not charged with, nor did he confess to, the theft of the flag. In his charge to the youthful offender, the judge warned “Do not fall victim to false gods again.”
Judge Hogan, a Republican appointee who first came to the federal bench when nominated by President Ronald Reagan, has a distinguished and extensive history of serving the country in several different capacities, including a seven year stint on the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Born in the District of Columbia, the judge is a graduate of Georgetown University. The 83 year old judge who in the past has repeatedly shown his commitment to the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law, tried to reason with the 24 year old defendant.
“Do not fall victim to false gods again.”
U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Hogan
Judge Hogan noted at the sentencing hearing Wednesday:
“I hope you understand that you have to learn information fully, that you have to read both sides and not fall for false information when you make your decisions about politics. It really is hard for me not to send all of these people to jail to have some time to think and reflect a bit, to consider what politics they are following, to reflect on what they think is true.”
The judge sentenced the defendant to three years of probation. Specifically, the judge said he wanted to supervisory period to “cover the next general election [2024] to make sure you do not fall victim to following false gods again.” Let this be a warning to any or all of us who seek political messiahs, follow false prophets, and those believers who would take up arms against the United States for the sake of the Gospel of Peace, whereby man is reconciled to God through Christ Jesus.
Judge Hogan, therefore, placed a very fine point on one of the problems in partisan politics today which threaten to overshadow the next Presidential election in 2024. While little is known–at least to me–of the Judge’s religious persuasions, Judge Hogan saw with remarkable clarity what many evangelical leaders fail to see (or, at least are not willing to admit.) In Matthew 6:24, Jesus warns us that we cannot serve two masters. The context of his remarks dea with God and money, but perhaps this same principle can be applied in other spheres of our life as well. In Galatians, chapter 5, Paul offers us a “checklist” of what we should as Christians be and what not to be:
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…”
Think on this, my brethren. Which of these two categories best describes your heroes?
Additional citations
The federal Statement of Offense on the defendant can be found here.
Additional details on the case can be found here.
The defendant’s plea agreement can be read here.
Judge Hogan’s biography may be read here.