Stewart Rhodes Visits Capitol After Trump’s Mass Pardons

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Stewart Rhodes Visits Capitol After Trump’s Mass Pardons \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes made a contentious appearance on Capitol Hill after being released from prison through President Trump’s sweeping clemency order. Rhodes, convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in the January 6 Capitol riot, defended his actions and sought a full pardon. Trump’s mass pardons of over 1,500 Capitol riot defendants, including Rhodes, have drawn sharp criticism from federal judges and lawmakers.

Stewart Rhodes’ Capitol Return: Key Highlights – Quick Looks

Clemency and Release: Trump pardoned or commuted sentences for more than 1,500 Capitol riot defendants, including Rhodes.
Defiant Stance: Rhodes denied responsibility for the violent siege, calling his group’s actions “stupid” but refusing accountability.
Judicial Backlash: Judges criticized the pardons, emphasizing the unalterable historical record of January 6.
Legislative Moves: House Speaker Mike Johnson revived a special committee to reframe the riot’s narrative.
Law Enforcement Testimonies: Capitol police officers expressed anger and exhaustion while vowing to uphold their duty.

Deep Look

Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right extremist group Oath Keepers, made a shocking appearance on Capitol Hill just one day after being released from prison through President Donald Trump’s sweeping clemency order. Rhodes, convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, defended his actions while calling for a full pardon from Trump. His visit has reignited debates over accountability, justice, and the broader implications of Trump’s decision to pardon over 1,500 Capitol riot defendants.

The timing of Rhodes’ Capitol appearance, which coincided with Speaker Mike Johnson’s revival of a special committee to reexamine January 6, underscores the contentious political landscape surrounding the riot. As Rhodes sought to rewrite the narrative around his role, federal judges and law enforcement officials issued sharp rebukes of Trump’s clemency, warning that it undermines justice and erodes the rule of law.

Trump’s Sweeping Clemency Order

One of President Trump’s most polarizing actions since returning to the White House has been his decision to issue pardons, commute sentences, or dismiss charges for over 1,500 Capitol riot defendants. This move, unprecedented in scope, has drawn widespread criticism from judges, legal experts, and lawmakers.

Trump’s clemency order included Stewart Rhodes and 14 others convicted of seditious conspiracy, one of the most serious charges brought against January 6 participants. While Trump defended his actions as a gesture of redemption and second chances, critics argue that the mass pardons diminish accountability for the deadly assault on the Capitol.

Rhodes’ Defiant Return to Capitol Hill

Wearing a “Trump 2020” hat, Rhodes was unapologetic about his actions during the January 6 riot. He denied responsibility for the violence that unfolded, instead placing blame on his followers.

“I didn’t lead anything. So why should I feel responsible for that?” Rhodes said. He characterized the actions of his group members who breached the Capitol as “stupid,” distancing himself from the chaos that halted the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory.

Rhodes, who was one of 14 defendants granted clemency, used his Capitol visit to advocate for a full pardon, stating, “I think all of us should be pardoned.” He has yet to meet with Trump but expressed his intention to push for broader clemency measures for all January 6 participants.

Judicial Backlash Against Clemency

Federal judges, many of whom presided over the hundreds of cases stemming from the Capitol riot, have voiced strong objections to Trump’s mass pardons.

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly: In a written order dismissing a Capitol riot case, she emphasized that the historical record of January 6—including videos, trial transcripts, and jury verdicts—remains “immutable” and a testament to the truth.
Judge Tanya Chutkan: Known for her firm handling of January 6 cases, Chutkan criticized the clemency orders, stating that they cannot “whitewash the blood, feces, and terror that the mob left in its wake.” She also highlighted the heroism of law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol that day.

Judges have described the pardons as a political maneuver that undermines years of work by the Justice Department in prosecuting one of the largest criminal investigations in U.S. history. District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, called the mass pardons “beyond frustrating and disappointing.”

The Revival of the January 6 Committee

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a staunch Trump ally, announced the revival of a special committee to reexamine the January 6 riot. The move is widely seen as an attempt to counter the findings of the bipartisan committee that investigated the riot in 2022. Johnson has indicated that the new committee will defend Trump’s actions and challenge the prevailing narrative surrounding the attack.

Johnson also defended Trump’s clemency orders, stating, “We believe in redemption, we believe in second chances.” His remarks have drawn criticism from Democrats, who view the committee as an effort to absolve Trump and his allies of responsibility for the riot.

Law Enforcement Speaks Out

As Rhodes walked the halls of the Capitol complex, police officers who defended the building on January 6 expressed their frustration and exhaustion.

Officer Daniel Hodges: Recounted the physical and emotional toll of the riot, including being crushed in a Capitol doorway as rioters tried to gouge his eyes. Despite the challenges, he vowed to continue his duty.
Capitol Police Sacrifices: Over 130 officers were injured during the riot, and several later died by suicide. The pardons have reopened emotional wounds for many who see them as a dismissal of their sacrifices.

“The heroism of those officers cannot be altered or ignored,” Kollar-Kotelly wrote in her remarks.

The Broader Implications

Trump’s mass pardons and Rhodes’ public reemergence highlight the ongoing polarization surrounding January 6 and its aftermath. While Trump and his allies frame the clemency as an act of reconciliation, critics view it as an attempt to rewrite history and undermine accountability.

The clemency orders also raise questions about the future of justice and democracy. Judges have warned that dismissing the consequences of January 6 sets a dangerous precedent, weakening the integrity of democratic institutions.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., who led Trump’s second impeachment, questioned whether Rhodes and others like him still pose a threat to public safety and constitutional democracy. “Does he still constitute a threat? That’s the question we need to be asking,” Raskin said.

A Contentious Road Ahead

As Rhodes continues to push for a full pardon and Trump doubles down on his narrative of redemption, the nation remains deeply divided over the legacy of January 6. The revival of the January 6 committee and the public reemergence of figures like Rhodes ensure that the riot’s impact on American politics and society will remain a central issue in the years to come.