A federal judge has placed restrictions on Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, following a recent commutation of his prison sentence by former President Donald Trump. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta has ruled that Rhodes must receive court approval before entering Washington, particularly after he was seen visiting Capitol Hill shortly after his release.
This ruling, issued two days after Rhodes met with lawmakers and discussed his actions during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, also extends to seven others who faced charges in the significant conspiracy case linked to the infamous riot. The judge’s order forbids these defendants from accessing the Capitol building or its adjacent grounds without permission from the court.
Ed Martin, who has been serving as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia since Trump took office, argued in a court filing that the commutation has lifted court oversight over Rhodes and the other defendants. He called for the Judge to repeal the recent order, emphasizing that the individuals affected by the motion had their sentences commuted and thus should no longer be under the court’s supervision.
Martin has been a board member of the Patriot Freedom Project, an organization that defends the January 6 defendants as victims of political repression, despite overseeing the prosecution of numerous individuals involved in the riot. He stated, “The individuals referenced in our motion have had their sentences commuted — period, end of sentence,” underlining his firm stance on the matter.
After Trump’s announcement, Rhodes, a resident of Granbury, Texas, was released from custody, which benefitted over 1,500 individuals charged in connection to the Capitol incident. While most defendants received full pardons, Trump opted only to commute the sentences of Rhodes and 13 others, which means they remain subject to supervised release with specific conditions set by the court.
Although Rhodes did not enter the Capitol during the riot, he was accused of devising a conspiracy to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. Convicted of seditious conspiracy in 2022, he received one of the most severe sentences issued by the Justice Department throughout its vast prosecution efforts.
During his recent visit to the Capitol, Rhodes expressed his desire for Trump to grant him a full pardon while also stopping by a Dunkin’ Donuts in the House office building. In defense of his actions, he remarked, “I didn’t lead anything. So why should I feel responsible for that?”
James Lee Bright, Rhodes’ attorney during the trial, voiced concern that judges’ criticisms regarding the pardons may lead to increased scrutiny and restrictions on Rhodes and other defendants currently on supervised release.
Trump’s clemency action resulted in the release of more than 200 individuals from federal custody, including several convicted of assaulting law enforcement during the January 6 event. The former president also ordered the dismissal of many cases that were still pending at the time.
Defending his decisions, Trump claimed that those pardoned had already served significant time in “disgusting” and “inhumane” conditions. In reaction to the commutations and pardons, various judges have expressed disapproval, condemning attempts to revise the events of the January 6 insurrection, which was fueled by supporters of Trump.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan specifically mentioned that pardons would not change the “tragic truth” surrounding the attack. She stated, “It cannot whitewash the blood, feces and terror that the mob left in its wake,” highlighting the severe impact of the riot on the nation’s democratic principles.
Judge Mehta recently remarked that pardoning Rhodes would be a cause for concern. He said, “The notion that Stewart Rhodes could be absolved of his actions is frightening and ought to be frightening to anyone who cares about democracy in this country.” Meanwhile, Rhodes’ attorney contends that the comments from the judges reveal that January 6 defendants would struggle to find impartiality in Washington courts.
Overall, around 1,600 individuals faced federal charges linked to the Capitol riot, with over 1,000 pleading guilty. Approximately 250 were convicted by judges or juries at trial, with a significant number receiving sentences that varied between a few days and 22 years, reflecting the severity of their actions during one of the most tumultuous events in recent U.S. history.
