Bush-Appointed Judge Slams Trump With Dire Warning for 'Our Democracy' After Capitol Rioter Convicted

It's been more than a year since a mob of pro-Trump extremists stormed the United States Capitol in an effort to block congressional confirmation of Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory. The deadly failed insurrection resulted in hundreds of arrests, and now judges are weighing in about the events of that day when handing down their rulings.

Senior U.S. District Court Judge Reggie Walton is among them.

Late last year, Walton admonished Capitol rioter Adam Johnson. Johnson went viral in the wake of the insurrection for a photo of him grinning while running off with the lectern of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Walton warned Johnson against further believing Trump's fantasies that the 2020 election was stolen, saying "the person who inspired you to do what you do is still making those statements, and my concern is that you are gullible enough to do it again."

On Thursday, Walton weighed in on the case of Dustin Thompson, a 38 year old exterminator who participated in the insurrection, and whom a jury convicted on all charges.

Walton once again condemned Trump in a powerful statement, telling Thompson:

"The insurgency, and it was in effect that, is very troubling. I think our democracy is in trouble because unfortunately we have charlatans, like the former President, in my view, who don't care about democracy and only care about power."

It's rare to hear a judge speak about a former President in such strong terms, but social media users found Walton's words refreshing.

They soon tweeted sentiments agreeing with his evaluation.

Some said his comments could be applied not just to Trump, but to the Republican party as a whole.

Thompson will remain in jail until sentencing.