DOJ seeks to vacate Jan 6 convictions in sweeping move tied to Trump order

The Department of Justice connected Tuesday filed motions to vacate the convictions of respective high-profile defendants progressive successful the Jan. 6 Capitol breach.

The filings, submitted to the Court of Appeals by the United States, specifically question to vacate transgression judgments against identified members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys organizations, astir of whom were convicted of seditious conspiracy.

"In the Executive Branch’s view, it is not successful the interests of justness to proceed to prosecute this lawsuit oregon the cases of other, likewise situated defendants," national prosecutors successful the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia wrote successful 1 filing.

The determination follows a statesmanlike proclamation connected Jan. 20, 2025, erstwhile President Donald Trump commuted the situation sentences of the defendants to "time served," allowing them to beryllium released without serving further time.  

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Protesters loyal to Trump ascent the westbound partition of the U.S. Capitol successful Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Tuesday’s filings — which people an effort to wide immoderate of the last charges inactive lasting in the probe — besides asked to disregard the indictments "with prejudice," meaning the charges would beryllium permanently dismissed and could not beryllium brought again by the government. 

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At slightest 8 superior defendants were named successful 2 akin appeals filed Tuesday.  

A large high-profile suspect referenced successful the filings is Oath Keepers laminitis Stewart Rhodes, whom prosecutors antecedently said plotted to "oppose by unit the lawful transportation of statesmanlike power" erstwhile Trump mislaid the 2020 election. Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years successful situation for seditious conspiracy and different charges.

Stewart Rhodes, laminitis of the Oath Keepers, speaks during a rally extracurricular the White House successful Washington, June 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

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Other mentioned Oath Keepers members see Kelly Meggs, the person of the Florida section of the organization, arsenic good as Kenneth Harrelson and Jessica Watkins.

Among the Proud Boys members mentioned, Ethan Nordean, 1 of the group’s leaders, was sentenced to 18 years successful situation aft being convicted of seditious conspiracy alongside Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl, who are besides named.

The Justice Department is besides seeking to vacate the condemnation of Proud Boys subordinate Dominic Pezzola, who was caught connected camera smashing a Capitol model with a riot shield. He was sentenced to 10 years successful prison.

From near to close are Stewart Rhodes, erstwhile Proud Boys person Enrique Tarrio, Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl astatine the U.S. Capitol successful Washington, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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Officials noted that they are besides filing akin motions for different related defendants successful related cases.

Hours aft returning to bureau successful January, Trump either pardoned oregon commuted the sentences of astir each individuals convicted successful transportation with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. More than 1,500 radical were arrested successful transportation with the protest.