DOJ Seeks to Overturn Convictions for Capitol Rioters

Filing targets members of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers involved in January 2021 unrest

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:06pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting of a fractured, overlapping crowd rushing towards a government building, rendered in bold, clashing colors of red, blue, and black, conveying the chaotic energy and political divisions surrounding the January 6th Capitol riots.The DOJ's bid to overturn convictions of far-right Capitol rioters exposes the ongoing political tensions surrounding the January 6th attack.Washington Today

The US attorney's office in Washington has requested that a federal appeals judge overturn convictions for members of far-right groups Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, who had been found guilty of seditious conspiracy over the January 2021 Capitol Hill riots. The move comes after the Trump administration granted clemency to 12 members of the groups, but did not provide a full presidential pardon.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing political tensions and legal battles surrounding the January 6th Capitol attack, with the Biden administration now seeking to overturn convictions of far-right extremists that were prosecuted under the previous administration.

The details

The Department of Justice's filing seeks to vacate the convictions of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers members, including Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers militia who received an 18-year prison sentence. The move is seen as an attempt by the Trump administration to avoid the appeal making it to court, as the hearings would require the prosecution to defend the Biden-era seditious conspiracy charges.

  • In January 2021, Trump backers breached security barriers in Washington, D.C. in an attempt to disrupt the certification of Biden's presidential victory.
  • Shortly after taking office, Trump granted clemency to 12 members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, but did not provide a full presidential pardon.
  • The deadline for the members of the groups to file court papers challenging their convictions was approaching.

The players

Proud Boys

A far-right extremist group that was involved in the January 6th Capitol riots. The group has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Oath Keepers

A far-right militia group that was also involved in the January 6th Capitol riots. The group has been accused of attempting to 'stop the lawful transfer of power' from Trump to Biden.

Stewart Rhodes

The founder of the Oath Keepers militia, who received the second-longest prison sentence (18 years) among all the January 6th defendants.

Donald Trump

The former US president who granted clemency to 12 members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, but did not provide a full presidential pardon.

Joe Biden

The current US president, whose victory in the 2020 election was the target of the January 6th Capitol attack.

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What’s next

The federal appeals court will need to rule on the Department of Justice's request to overturn the convictions of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers members. This decision could have significant implications for the ongoing legal and political fallout from the January 6th Capitol attack.

The takeaway

This case highlights the continued political divisions and legal battles surrounding the January 6th Capitol riots, with the Biden administration now seeking to overturn convictions of far-right extremists that were prosecuted under the previous Trump administration. The outcome of this appeal could shape the long-term consequences for those involved in the unrest.