Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program – Ep 240 | Should Pardon ALL Jan. 6 Defendants?! | John Strand

Introduction

In Episode 240 of The Glenn Beck Program, hosted by Glenn Beck of the Blaze Podcast Network, John Strand shares his harrowing experience surrounding the events of January 6, 2021. Strand, who authored the book Patriot Plea, discusses whether all January 6th defendants deserve pardons, presenting his case as a victim of what he perceives as political injustice.

John Strand’s Journey to January 6th

John Strand begins by recounting his background as an artist, actor, and model in Los Angeles. The COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 marked a turning point, prompting him to become politically active. He organized the Beverly Hills Freedom Rally, which garnered significant attention when President Trump retweeted it, drawing tens of thousands in support of the freedom and liberty movement. Through this involvement, Strand met Dr. Simone Gold of America's Frontline Doctors, leading to his role as communications director and security guard during their speaking tour.

Notable Quote:

• "The truth is never simple, but the truth is important." [00:04]

The Events of January 6th

Strand details his presence at the Capitol on January 6th, explaining that they were scheduled to speak alongside various Congress members and national figures. Upon arriving, he found the venue disorganized, with no stage or crowd control measures in place, likening the situation to a Super Bowl being canceled last minute with thousands of fans left bewildered.

Notable Quote:

• "It was as if you had purchased tickets planned for a year in advance with travel and arrangements to go to the Super Bowl. And then you pile into the stadium and literally at game time, an announcement says, so sorry, folks, the team didn't make the plane, so they're not here to play the game." [05:09]

As the day progressed, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when a boom resembling a bomb caused panic within the tightly packed crowd. Strand describes the chaos that ensued, including the sudden opening of the Capitol's heavy Columbus doors, which allowed the surge of people into the building.

Notable Quote:

• "The boom sounded like a bomb went off and the crowd panicked... and I couldn’t see it. Too many people pressed around me." [09:43]

Arrest and Imprisonment

Following the events, Strand was swiftly charged with four nonviolent misdemeanors. He criticizes the handling of his arrest, highlighting the lack of communication and prolonged solitary confinement, which he deems as "cruel and unusual punishment." Strand expresses frustration over being placed on the FBI's Most Wanted list and the subsequent abuse he endured, including being denied phone calls and subjected to isolation.

Notable Quotes:

• "I never forget my first time being on an FBI Most Wanted list." [21:38]
• "It was so tyrannical, it was so totalitarian that I didn't really expect justice or reasonability at all." [31:41]

Strand recounts the brutal conditions of solitary confinement, describing it as suffocating and despair-inducing, akin to being trapped in a submarine lost at sea.

Notable Quote:

• "Imagine you were on a submarine... stuck in this concrete closet in the bottom of the ocean." [50:00]

Trial and Conviction

Strand was charged under Title 18, U.S. Code § 1512, which pertains to tampering with a witness, evidence, or informant. He argues that this charge was misapplied, emphasizing that the law was not intended for political protesters, as confirmed by former President George Bush. Despite his assertions of innocence and lack of criminal intent, Strand was convicted and sentenced to 32 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Notable Quotes:

• "When the legislature passed 1512 into law... they closed that loophole and said, if you delegate your tampering of a witness... the third party can be liable." [34:18]
• "Prison is a sledgehammer." [35:57]

Views on the Justice System and Call for Pardons

Strand vehemently criticizes the January 6th prosecutions as politically motivated and an abuse of prosecutorial power. He advocates for pardoning all defendants involved, arguing that the entire process is flawed and tainted by corruption. Strand emphasizes the erosion of the "innocent until proven guilty" principle and calls for a systemic overhaul to restore integrity and justice.

Notable Quotes:

• "We have to reclaim the essence of innocent until proven guilty." [37:58]
• "Every single person should be released. Because you can't go back and say, well, this guy was wrong... So how do we do anything other than say, everybody out, everybody's out." [59:20]

Conclusion: The Patriot Plea

In his concluding remarks, Strand underscores the necessity of individual courage and collective action to combat governmental corruption. He draws parallels to the American Revolution, advocating for a "remnant" of patriots dedicated to upholding constitutional principles. Strand's message is a call to action for Americans to reclaim their constitutional republic by overcoming the "spirit of evil" and centralized power.

Notable Quotes:

• "We just have to exercise it." [76:24]
• "The patriot plea, right? That's my call, is that we need to raise up a remnant." [78:01]

Strand encourages listeners to engage actively in preserving America's foundational values, emphasizing that even a small, dedicated group can effect meaningful change.

Final Thoughts

John Strand's testimony on The Glenn Beck Program offers a poignant and controversial perspective on the January 6th events and their aftermath. By sharing his personal ordeal and advocating for widespread pardons, Strand invites listeners to reconsider the complexities surrounding the Capitol breach and the subsequent legal actions taken against its participants.

For more insights, listeners are encouraged to explore John Strand's book, Patriot Plea, available at johnstrand.com.