Federal prosecutors said Kenneth Joseph Owen Thomas has acted as a “one-man misinformation machine” since the Jan. 6 attack.

  • @TropicalDingdong
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    211 months ago

    This is absolute theory craft I’m about to write, but I’ve been considering the implications of this for a while.

    So there are thousands of insurrectionists that are now found guilty of J6. I’ve been wondering about alternative litigate approaches; could not they represent themselves as a class and sue Trump for injury, in that they did what they were told to do at his behest as the commander in chief, as such, he is responsible for the damages they’ve incurred by being found guilty of insurrection. Effectively, they would have to admit guilt, but they basically already have. They could pursue Trump for damages for their following of his orders (I’m thinking civil here, IE, lost wages due to prison time, lawyers fees, etc…).

    Its a wild idea, but it could corner Trump in a way he’s almost assuredly not expecting, because the insurrectionists would effectively be confirming the allegations being made in courts across the country; that Trump incited the insurrection, and was its defacto leader.

    • @Sanctus
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      411 months ago

      Good luck getting them to turn on their living God.

      • @TropicalDingdong
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        211 months ago

        I mean, these specific people are facing jail time, and serious economic hardship as a direct result of the actions of Trump. If there is a cohort to turn on him, I don’t think you’ll find a stronger set to try and turn. They have suffered material damages.

        • @Sanctus
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          211 months ago

          But they aren’t. We’re seeing higher legs bend, but not the grunt force that made it possible. I’d imagine if the sentences were more accurate, say 20 years for treason on top of everything. We might see it. But they’re getting slaps on the wrist and will be out in time to see the next president in the White House.

          • @TropicalDingdong
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            111 months ago

            The potential for a big pay out or not having to sell /mortgage your house because you played stupid games and won stupid prizes on behalf of president Bonespurs might be enough for some of them.

            Also, you don’t have to convince all of them, simply enough of them to form a class.

        • Optional
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          111 months ago

          Yeah it’s not a bad thought, but these are people who are unwilling and/or incapable of using reason or logic to understand their situation. The odds of them getting a class-action together are fantastically low.

          • @TropicalDingdong
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            111 months ago

            Just need a money grubbing lawyer to see a payday and consider taking it in. You don’t need to convince all of them, just enough to form an agreived class.