Feb 25, 2022 - Politics & Policy

Florida man who carried Pelosi's lectern during riot sentenced to 75 days in prison

 pro-Trump protester carries the lectern of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi through the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol

Pro-Trump protester Adam Johnson carries the U.S. House of Representatives speaker's lectern through the Rotunda of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

The Florida man who carried House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) lectern around the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was sentenced to 75 days in prison on Friday, NBC News reports.

Driving the news: "We're on a dangerous slide in America," U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton said during Adam Johnson's sentencing, adding that he made "a mockery" of the events.

  • Johnson said Friday that he'd been "nothing but cooperative" with the government since his arrest and that he's demonstrated that he was "ashamed" to have been a part of the Capitol riot, NBC reports.
  • Justice Department prosecutors wrote in a memo before Johnson's sentencing that his actions "illustrate his sense of entitlement and privilege."

The big picture: Johnson in November pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds.

  • Under the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to toss out charges related to theft of government property and violent entry on Capitol grounds.
  • The FBI has arrested more than 740 people in connection with the Capitol riot, per NBC.

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