Feds seek tougher sentences for veterans who stormed Capitol

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

During his 27 years in the U.S. Army, Leonard Gruppo joined the Special Forces, served in four war zones and led a team of combat medics in Iraq before retiring in 2013 as a lieutenant colonel.

During his six minutes inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, Gruppo joined a slew of other military veterans as a mob of pro-Trump rioters carried out an unparalleled assault on the bastion of American democracy. He's among dozens of veterans and active-service members charged in connection with the insurrection.

Now, cases like his are presenting a thorny question for federal judges to consider when they sentence veterans who stormed the Capitol: Do they deserve leniency because they served their country or tougher punishment because they swore an oath to defend it?

The Justice Department has adopted the latter position. In at least five cases so far, prosecutors have cited a rioter’s military service as a factor weighing in favor of a jail sentence or house arrest. Prosecutors have repeatedly maintained that veterans' service, while commendable, made their actions on Jan. 6 more egregious.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/feds-seek-tougher-sentences-veterans-041514021.html

[AZSkiffyGeek]

1. Good.

[CanonRay]

2. They broke their oath

on top of the crimes. Max sentences

[jmowreader]

3. I'm a veteran

The first three things we were taught in basic training: how to march in formation, how to salute an officer, and that we are always supposed to refuse to carry out an illegal order.

“Storm the US Capitol and shut down the certification of the electoral college vote” is almost as illegal as ordering a battalion of infantry to enter a city and start raping, killing, pillaging and burning.

My recommendation: ten years in solitary confinement and recharacterizing their discharges as dishonorable. If they have VA loans on their homes, call their loans in.

[Chille]

22. The problem is

with the charges. Most of them are misdemeanors and the maximum penalty is nothing

[Scruffy1]

4. I know of no legal standing for being a veteran of the military.

Search all of the law books you want. You are either guilty or not. This whole thing is all about "cultural" bullshit and arguing over the length of the sentence. The prosecutors are going to ask for more knowing that the "veteran" status is an easy plea. I don't think many judges give a rats ass.

[smb]

23. Being A Veteran Most Certainly Does Involve A Legal Standing

Specifically, it involves eligibility for a range of benefits, each and every one of which should be revoked upon conviction for such seditious activities.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Vets storming the Capitol? Up the charges. They were trained.

to know better and should be an example to the rest of us

[TomSlick]

6. This veteran agrees with the DoJ position.

The oath to defend the Constitution does not have a end-date. A veteran should be punished more severely for sedition.

[usaf-vet]

8. Roger that!

[2naSalit]

16. +1

I am not a miltiary veteran though I grew up in a military family and have worn federal uniform w/badge in two federal agencies and worked for yet another where I took and administered the oath many times and I agree wholeheartedly.

The violation of the oath by these wannabes is an affront to everyone who has taken the oath in good faith and adheres to it. I am so offended that I would personally put their asses in prison if it were up to me and possible in any way. If they took the oath in bad faith, they should also be held accountable for false testament to the country.

Fuck all these traitors, they are no better than the confederates who trid to divide the nation 150 years ago. A serious rectification of this ongoing issue needs to take place in the very near future or we are done as a country. Which reminds me, I need to renew my passport.

[TomSlick]

18. I agree.

These seditionists are an affront to everyone that has ever taken an oath to support and defend the constitution.

[Wounded Bear]

21. I enlisted and took that oath in July 1970. It still holds for me...

so I'm down with harsher punsishment for oath-breakers.

[DENVERPOPS]

7. Their military experience

only makes them a greater threat...........period.

[2naSalit]

17. +1

[James48]

9. Retired Army here.

Throw the veterans in the slammer for years.
I want to see real punishment- and veterans sure as hell know better.

[VegasVet]

10. Good. Play stupid games and win stupid prizes.

They swore an oath. They made a choice. There are consequences.

[70sEraVet]

11. Perhaps those particular insurrectionists think they should get a Veteran's discount?

[ShazzieB]

12. I hereby give this my....

[UTUSN]

13. K&R for, *that's* what I'm talking about!

[monkeyman1]

14. this vet thinks these vet's should lose all veteran's benefits period ! everything !

broke all military oaths ! they have no standing in court what so ever ! "treason" ! the only word that applies to this ! they have dishonored the veteran's that have honored this country faithfully & are dead . no questions asked . loyalty is not to a fucking draft dodger ! period ! shit this article fired my butt up ! spent 3yrs in V.N. jungle's & have to read this crap ! I know I'm not the only one !

[soldierant]

15. tougher punishment because they swore an oath to defend it.

No question about it.

[Hekate]

19. Oath-breakers

[COL Mustard]

20. They Disgrace Themselves By Violating The Oath We All Took

No sympathy just because they wore the uniform. In fact, longer sentences.