Federal judge slams "normalization" of Capitol riot

• Former President Trump has vowed to "free" the rioters as one of his first acts if he's elected for a second term. Dozens who participated in some capacity that day have even run for office.

Zoom in: "This cannot become normal," U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said Wednesday per CNN. "We cannot condone the normalization of the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot."

• The judge made the comments while sentencing Taylor James Johnatakis, 40, to more than seven years in prison for his actions during the insurrection.
• The Washington state man was found guilty of seven charges, including three felonies.

What he's saying: "There can be no room in our country for this sort of political violence," the judge said.

• Lamberth said that if Americans unhappy with election results continue to resort to "vigilantism, lawlessness and anarchy," it will create a "vicious cycle ... that could imperil our institutions."
• He added that the insurrection was not patriotic or a form of civil disobedience, but rather a "corrosive" and "selfish" affront to the nation.

Go deeper: Trump pledges to free Jan. 6 rioters in early act as president if elected