Mr. Joseph Biggs, a member of the Proud Boys organization that organized the violent break-in at the Capital, ignored the law on January 6, 2021, was caught, faced a judge, and was properly convicted. For his trial he had a prominent attorney named Norm Pattis. I am certain that Attorney Pattis knows the rule of law upon which the nation rests, as well as the rules-based order on which foreign trade depends. In addition, I’m confident that he knows the truth of the phrase that “actions have consequences.”
Now he has sent a letter to the president elect asking him to pardon Mr. Biggs (Hartford Courant, Nov. 16), saying that it “would serve the broader public interest.”
What nonsense. Mr. Biggs knew that what he and the Proud Boys had carefully planned and carried out was outrageously illegal. Then, as now, our society is based on the rule of law, which means that actions have consequences. I’m sorry, Mr. Pattis, you want our society to tell Mr. Biggs “we are sorry you did wrong, and now we’re sure you have learned your lesson; go forth and be good.”
No, that does not serve the public interest. Nor is it in the public interest that “Mr. Biggs also has been victimized by a cynical misuse of the law.” Not only was Mr. Biggs guilty of heinous crimes, but now you are claiming that our rules-based system of law is itself at fault.
Mr. Pattis, you are paid to serve the best interests of your client, but don’t try to convince us that turning him loose is in the best interest of society.
Robert McNaughton, Cromwell
