DOJ Seeks to Vacate Jan. 6 Conviction of Washington Proud Boys Leader

The move comes as the Justice Department also seeks to erase convictions for other Capitol rioters from far-right groups.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:45am

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A vibrant, fragmented painting in red, white, and blue hues depicting a chaotic scene of a political protest or riot, conveying the divisive and turbulent nature of the DOJ's actions.The DOJ's controversial decision to erase convictions of Capitol rioters from far-right groups exposes deep divisions over accountability for the Jan. 6 attack.Auburn Today

The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to erase the conviction of Ethan Nordean, a prominent leader of the Proud Boys from Washington state, for his actions during the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. The DOJ is also seeking to vacate convictions for other Capitol rioters from far-right groups like the Oath Keepers.

Why it matters

This development is seen as an 'appalling and dangerous turn of events' by Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, as it appears the DOJ is now acting as 'in-house counsel' for extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. The move to erase convictions of Capitol rioters raises concerns about accountability and the rule of law.

The details

Nordean, of Auburn, Washington, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2023 after a jury found him guilty of seditious conspiracy and other charges related to the Jan. 6 attack. He was among the leaders of the Capitol breach meant to thwart the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. The DOJ is also seeking to vacate convictions for other Proud Boys members like Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Dominic Pezzola, as well as Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes.

  • In 2023, Nordean was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in the Jan. 6 attack.
  • On April 15, 2026, the DOJ filed a motion seeking to erase Nordean's conviction.

The players

Ethan Nordean

A prominent leader of the Proud Boys from Washington state who was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison for his actions during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Rep. Jamie Raskin

The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee who called the DOJ's move to erase Nordean's conviction an 'appalling and dangerous turn of events.'

Jeanine Pirro

The former Fox News commentator who now leads the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C. and is overseeing the DOJ's efforts to vacate the convictions of Nordean and other Capitol rioters.

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What they’re saying

“The Department of Justice is now acting like in-house counsel for the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys.”

— Rep. Jamie Raskin, Top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee

“I'm beyond thrilled at the news.”

— Zachary Rehl, Proud Boys member

What’s next

The DOJ's motion to vacate the convictions of Nordean and other Capitol rioters will now be considered by the federal appeals court.

The takeaway

The DOJ's move to erase the convictions of prominent Proud Boys and Oath Keepers members involved in the Jan. 6 attack raises serious concerns about accountability and the rule of law, with critics accusing the department of acting as 'in-house counsel' for extremist groups.