Adam Johnson, also known as “the lectern guy,” offered to donate miniature lecterns for auction to raise funds for those imprisoned following their presence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
On Jan. 6, Johnson was famously pictured holding former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s lectern inside the rotunda of the Capitol. Johnson was subsequently dubbed “the lectern guy” after the photo went viral and was featured in memes.
“I want to donate 10 handmade lecterns to someone who can auction them off and donate the proceeds to the J6 political prisoners’ defense funds,” Johnson wrote in a X post providing a picture of his handmade miniature wooden lecterns.
Per his plea deal, Johnson cannot be involved in any monetary transactions in donating proceeds to those imprisoned following Jan. 6, though encouraged X users with larger platforms to direct message him to work out a deal.
“I don’t have much other than my skills and desire to help,” he said. “I’m hoping this can make a difference.”
The miniature lecterns are modeled after Pelosi’s and include a seal featuring a silhouette of Johnson holding the former Speaker’s lectern with the phrase “take a stand.”
I want to donate 10 handmade lecterns to someone who can auction them off and donate the proceeds to the J6 political prisoners' defense funds.
I can not be involved with any of the monetary transactions as per my plea deal, but if any of the larger pages that follow me want to… pic.twitter.com/NdOAWomOHj
— The Lectern Guy🇺🇸 (@lecternleader) September 11, 2023
“These little wooden trinkets aren’t much, but if we make enough noise, we can do some actual good,” he said.
Johnson reiterated to Timcast News that he cannot be involved in any money exchange per his plea deal.
“I just need someone to set up the auction or donation site, and I can get it reposted everywhere,” he said. “Top ten donations will get a lectern from me signed with a letter of thanks.”
Shortly after the image went viral, Johnson was booked by Pinnelas County jail in Florida and held on a federal marshal warrant.
In February 2022, Johnson was sentenced to 75 days in prison by United States District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton. Johnson was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and perform 200 hours of community service along with one year supervision following his release.
More than 950 people have been arrested and charged for their connection to the Capitol riot with over 3,860 counts of criminal activity. Roughly 350 remain on the FBI’s most wanted list of violent offenders, per USA Today.
Charges include at least 315 counts of violent entry and disorderly conduct, 222 counts of civil disorder or interfering with law enforcement during civil disorder, 95 counts of conspiracy, and 17 counts of seditious conspiracy.
Notable incarcerations include Proud Boys members Joe Biggs, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison along with Zachary Rehl, who was sentenced to 15 years for seditious conspiracy among other charges.
Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was not present at the Capitol on Jan. 6, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his involvement in events surrounding the Capitol riot. Just under 200 have been sentenced to serve time in prison.
