DeLauro Statement on Justice Department’s Effort to Vacate Convictions of Far-Right January 6 Rioters

WASHINGTON-Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro issued the following statement regarding news that the Department of Justice was moving to vacate the convictions of a dozen former members of the right-wing 'Proud Boys' and 'Oathkeepers' groups in connection with the January 6 attack on democracy at the U.S. Capitol:

"This shameful attempt by President Trump's Justice Department to whitewash the deadly, organized assault on our nation's Capitol on January 6 cannot go unchallenged.

"The 12 defendants include Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right militia group known as the Oathkeepers, as well as members of another right wing group known as the Proud Boys. They came to the Capitol that day dressed in tactical gear and carrying zip ties and weapons, intent on disrupting the certification of the 2020 election and causing harm to Capitol Police and lawmakers. These defendants were convicted by juries of charges including seditious conspiracy due to the overwhelming video evidence of them dismantling barricades, breaching the Capitol building, and assaulting Capitol Police and destroying public property. When President Trump told them to "stand back and standby" they listened, and now he's rewarding their loyalty and willingness to overthrow our government with a clean slate.

"President Trump already abused the presidential pardon authority to put hundreds of violent January 6 rioters back on our nation's streets- many of whom have already committed crimes once more. He cannot be allowed to erase charges and convictions as well. I stand with our Capitol police officers who protected our democracy that day, and against this deceitful effort to protect the criminals who aided President Trump's scheme to overturn an election."

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