Judge Hogan, on the record: "I accept your argument that his due process rights were violated."

December 2021 bond hearing. U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. United States v. Nichols.

U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan — verbatim, from the transcript:

"So it may be a position of uncomfortableness because of the long retention in the cellblock, in the cells, I agree with you, for 22 hours, 23 hours, that is terrible, confining, and difficult for people. But I think that's more inclined due to the orders because of the COVID than it was because they wanted to mistreat this particular class of people. I haven't seen anything that's shown that yet. And I think the Cole examination by Judge McFadden is fairly clear on that. And so I accept your argument that his due process rights were violated and that should be another basis for his release."

The judge, from the bench, acknowledging that 22-23 hours a day in lockup is "terrible, confining, and difficult for people" — and that my due process rights were violated.

The court said it out loud. Then I stayed in.