Crocodile tears too late for trucker temper tantrum toddler-in-chief Pat King
Sorry, not sorry: Pat King apologizes (but is also proud) for leading disruptive convoy to Ottawa protesting health restrictions in 2022
“I am extremely sorry for what happened to the City of Ottawa, and for that, I absolutely apologize for my actions,” Pat King said, apparently with a straight face, at his sentencing hearing on Jan. 17, 2025, convicted as he is for his part organizational role in the 2022 trucker convoy.
Superior Court Justice Charles Hackland found King guilty in November 2024 on five counts, including mischief and disobeying a court order. He was found not guilty on three counts of intimidation and one count of obstructing police.
During the hearing, the narcissist with zero self-reflection told the court that he “can relate” to what downtown residents experienced during weeks of gridlock downtown Ottawa and constant horn honking.
How can he relate?
He said it wasn't fun in jail and sometimes he was scared he'd get beat up. Boo-hoo.
King also said he struggles to find employment and owes $250,000 in legal fees, which sounds like a toddler crying for being sent to his room after lighting the curtains on fire.
Crown prosecutor Moiz Karimjee labeled King's level of criminal mischief of the “worst kind” and asked for a 10-year sentence, the maximum.
Karimjee pointed out that in advance of the convoy, King commented about bringing “fear” and “scaring” people. He argued there is an almost certain possibility that King will repeat his law-breaking, and that King had promoted and bragged about this “dangerous idea” that inflicting pain on citizens is a good way to make change in society.
In a July 2022 interview King gave to a supporter from jail, he credited the Freedom Convoy for ending COVID-19 mandates, which is face-palm stupid.
As one example of the pain King inflicted, someone from a downtown Ottawa women's shelter read a victim impact statement describing trauma the protests caused.
“The women expressed, often, that it was like experiencing the abuse all over again.”
There is, however, no chance King will get anything close to the 10-year sentence he deserves and that is sought by Crown. The judge repeatedly told Karimjee at he Jan. 17 hearing that his sentencing recommendation was too high.
Despite the fact that Justice Hackland previously wrote that King's moral culpability was “significant” as an organizer and leader who aimed to gridlock, or “bear hug” the capital, the judge suggested he was likely to consider a sentence in the range of time served to two years in jail.
“The judge's comments elicited smiles and looks of encouragement from King and a handful of his supporters,” according to CBC reporter David Fraser who was in the courtroom.
Contortions of culpability
Engaging in ethical gymnastics, King at once claims he is sorry but he is also proud that he helped end COVID mandates. He's upset he can't find a job and owes six figures in legal fees, yet he feels that egregiously breaking the law was some sort of a noble stand.
“I don't want to live in a country where I get 10 years for standing up for what I believe in,” King said.
Good. Get out. I'm sure you'd be welcome in Trump's America.
-30-
Paul J. Henderson
pauljhenderson@gmail.com
facebook.com/PaulJHendersonJournalist
instagram.com/wordsarehard_pjh
x.com/PeeJayAitch
wordsarehard-pjh.bsky.social