(LifeSiteNews) — Former Michigan gubernatorial candidate and father of six Ryan Kelley will spend 60 days in jail for his presence at the January 6 protests in Washington, D.C., a federal judge ruled today.
Kelley, 42, placed fourth in the Republican primary for governor in 2022. A successful real estate agent, Kelley, a Catholic, ran a strong grassroots campaign based on medical freedom and pro-family policies. He emerged as the frontrunner after the FBI raided his house with more than 20 agents. Donald Trump endorsed eventual nominee Tudor Dixon late in the race.
Kelley was initially charged with four misdemeanors related to his presence at the Capitol. Prosecutors said he dismantled platforms and egged on protesters. In July, Kelley made a plea deal, admitting to entering and remaining in a restricted federal building or grounds. He will have to pay a $5,000 fine and undergo one year of probation as part of his sentencing.
Kelley sat down with LifeSite co-founder John-Henry Westen in 2022 to discuss his arrest. Similar to the raid of pro-life activist Mark Houck’s home, Kelley said the FBI swarmed his house when he, his wife, and their children were all present. He further said Christians are being “persecuted” under Joe Biden. Kelley has since sold his house and relocated out of concern for his family’s safety.
According to West Michigan NBC affiliate WOOD TV-8, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper told Kelley on Tuesday “that he misused his platform as a candidate for public office by promoting lies about election fraud, including the baseless claim that Jan. 6 was somehow part of an FBI plot.”
Kelley reportedly told the judge, “I apologize for those things.” He also said he was “misled” into believing the election was stolen.
Tucker Carlson has stated that he believes the January 6 protests were likely instigated by federal agents. Podcaster Joe Rogan has said the same. Video footage taken from inside the Capitol that was held back from the public by Congressional Democrats but was obtained and later released by Carlson when Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in 2022 shows the opposite of a chaotic riot.
“Taken as a whole,” Carlson said, “the video record does not support the claim that January 6 was an insurrection. In fact, it demolishes that claim. And that’s exactly why the Democratic Party and its allies in the media prevented you from seeing it.”