A dramatic scene unfolded in Washington, D.C. District Court on Friday as a federal judge sentenced a defendant connected to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Philip Grillo, from New York, was found guilty last year on five charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and misdemeanor offenses such as entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a restricted building, disorderly conduct in the Capitol, and parading in the Capitol building.
Before delivering the sentence, Senior Judge Royce Lamberth shared some remarks.
“I will do my job as I’m bound by oath to do, and the president will do his,” he said, according to CNN. “It’s as simple as that.” Lamberth emphasized that justice must prevail “no matter the political winds of the day.”
After sentencing Grillo to one year in prison followed by one year of supervised release, the defendant shouted out to the judge.
“Trump’s gonna pardon me anyways!” he yelled.
CNN’s Katelyn Polantz reported on the incident during Monday’s CNN News Central.
“This was an extraordinary scene in the D.C. District Court, where many rioter cases have been handled,” she explained. “Grillo was sentenced for nonviolent felonies today, but Judge Royce Lamberth, who has served the longest on the bench and is nearing the end of his judicial career, immediately put him in prison. That’s rare in these cases. As the judge left the courtroom, Grillo, now in handcuffs, was removing his tie and belt while yelling, ‘Trump’s gonna pardon me anyways!’”
Polantz also mentioned that Grillo had two friends in the courtroom, identified as Republican Party officials from the Bronx and Queens.
“They shouted, ‘Don’t worry, Phil. Donald’s gonna take care of you,’” Polantz reported.
Former President Trump has expressed intentions to pardon those involved in the Capitol riot, calling them “unbelievable patriots.”
