Shane Jenkins, a Capitol rioter sentenced to seven years in prison, has been selling merchandise from jail that promotes the idea that he and other rioters are unjustly labeled as political prisoners. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta expressed his disapproval of this narrative, emphasizing that the rioters are being punished for their actions, not their beliefs. He stated that the assertion of political persecution fuels false claims about a stolen election, reiterating that the evidence against Jenkins is well-documented. Jenkins was convicted for his violent role in the January 6 attack, including attempts to break a window and incite others to join the assault. Judge Mehta highlighted that a jury reviewed the same evidence and found Jenkins guilty of obstructing an official proceeding during the certification of President Biden's electoral victory. The judge's comments reflect a broader judicial pushback against misleading narratives surrounding the January 6 events.