Justice Department seeks to throw out Stewart Rhodes, Oath Keepers Capitol riot convictions
The Justice Department asked a federal appeals court Tuesday to throw out the seditious conspiracy convictions of Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and other far-right group leaders. These men were sentenced to prison for their roles in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
The Justice Department on Tuesday asked a federal appeals court to overturn the seditious conspiracy convictions of leaders from two major far-right groups involved in the January 6 Capitol attack.
The request covers Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers militia group, along with other leaders from both the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys organizations. These men were convicted of seditious conspiracy - essentially plotting to overthrow the government - and received prison sentences for leading their groups during the Capitol riot.
Seditious conspiracy is one of the most serious charges related to January 6. It means prosecutors proved these leaders didn't just participate in the riot, but actively planned to use force against the U.S. government.
The move represents a major shift in how the federal government handles January 6 cases under the Trump administration. During his campaign, Trump promised to pardon many Capitol riot defendants and called them "political prisoners."
The Oath Keepers and Proud Boys were among the most organized groups that stormed the Capitol over five years ago, attempting to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election results.
This move could free some of the most prominent January 6 defendants who received the harshest sentences. It shows how the Trump administration is following through on promises to reverse prosecutions from the Capitol riot.
The federal appeals court will decide whether to grant the Justice Department's request to throw out these convictions.
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