Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) presented a Jan. 6 Capitol rioter with a flag and called her a “hero” after she was released from federal prison on Friday.
In March, Dr. Simone Gold pleaded guilty to entering or remaining inside a restricted building. She was sentenced to 60 days in a Miami federal prison at a sentencing hearing in June. Gold was released two weeks early, according to Newsweek.
On Friday, Gold shared images on social media of Gohmert presenting her with the flag, and wrote: “I am honored to receive this recognition from Congressman Gohmert, a true believer in freedom and a fierce defender of our constitutional rights.”
The congressman responded to her tweet calling her a “patriot and an American hero.”
Gold is the founder of anti-vax group America’s Frontline Doctors known for spreading misinformation during the COVID pandemic and pushing unproven treatments like hydroxychloroquine.
Gohmert responded to criticism in a statement later on Friday falsely calling Gold a “political prisoner” and said he presented her with the flag “to celebrate her invaluable work and contributions to public health, medical freedom and our God-given constitutional rights.”
“After having her name and reputation shamefully dragged through the mud, the Biden administration’s DOJ threw her in prison for peacefully walking into the U.S. Capitol on January 6 and delivering a speech. Dr. Gold is the definition of what a political prisoner looks like—something I never thought I’d see here in the United States of America,” Gohmert said.
He continued: “God Bless Dr. Gold. History will not look kindly upon those who persecuted—and prosecuted—doctors who spoke out against the COVID lockdown, mask and vaccine mandates.”
