Judge Warns Against Pardoning Stewart Rhodes for Jan. 6 Plot

Judge Warns Against Pardoning Stewart Rhodes for Jan. 6 Plot \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A federal judge expressed deep concern about the possibility of a presidential pardon for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who is serving an 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Judge Amit Mehta, who sentenced another Oath Keeper to probation for cooperating with prosecutors, called pardoning Rhodes “frightening.” President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to pardon Jan. 6 rioters, calling them “patriots.”

Federal Judge Condemns Potential Pardons for Capitol Rioters: Quick Looks

• Judge Amit Mehta criticized the possibility of a Trump pardon for Stewart Rhodes, calling it a threat to democracy.
• Rhodes is serving an 18-year sentence for leading a plot to keep Trump in power after losing the 2020 election.
• President-elect Trump has vowed to pardon Jan. 6 rioters, referring to them as “patriots.”
• Another Oath Keeper, William Todd Wilson, received probation for cooperating with prosecutors.
• Prosecutors opposed a Capitol rioter’s request to attend Trump’s inauguration while on supervised release.

Deep Look

A federal judge on Wednesday issued a stark warning about the dangers of pardoning Stewart Rhodes, the Oath Keepers founder convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Judge Amit Mehta, who sentenced Rhodes to 18 years in prison earlier this year, expressed alarm at the prospect of President-elect Donald Trump following through on his campaign promises to pardon Jan. 6 rioters.

“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,” Mehta said during a sentencing hearing for another Oath Keepers member.

The Context of Trump’s Promises

Trump, set to take office again in January, has repeatedly referred to Jan. 6 participants as “patriots” and pledged to pardon them, “if they’re innocent.” He has specifically mentioned the possibility of pardoning high-profile figures like Rhodes and Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who is serving a 22-year sentence for conspiring to block the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election.

Trump’s rhetoric has drawn criticism from multiple judges presiding over Jan. 6-related cases. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, described the idea of blanket pardons for rioters as “beyond frustrating and disappointing.”

The Plot That Led to Rhodes’ Conviction

Rhodes was convicted alongside several other Oath Keepers leaders for orchestrating a plot to prevent Joe Biden’s certification as president. The group stockpiled weapons and formed “quick reaction force” teams stationed at a Virginia hotel, prepared to transport firearms into Washington, D.C., if the insurrection escalated.

Although the weapons were never deployed, Mehta called the plan “chilling.”

“One order from a madman could have led to weapons being used during a riot,” he said.

A Cooperative Oath Keeper Gets Probation

Mehta’s comments came during the sentencing of William Todd Wilson, a former Oath Keepers member who pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy and cooperated with federal prosecutors. Wilson, a 48-year-old Army veteran from North Carolina, avoided prison and was sentenced to one year of home detention and three years of probation.

The judge commended Wilson for acknowledging his guilt, saying,

“Setting the history books straight came at a great price to you.”

Wilson expressed remorse, describing the mental toll of his actions as “almost unbearable.” However, prosecutors noted that Wilson had occasionally undermined his credibility by making inconsistent statements to investigators.

The Wider Jan. 6 Fallout

The prosecution of Jan. 6 participants remains one of the largest and most consequential legal efforts in U.S. history. Over 1,500 individuals have faced charges for their roles in the Capitol siege, with cases ranging from trespassing to seditious conspiracy.

Judges have largely pushed forward with hearings, sentencings, and guilty pleas, despite requests from some defendants to delay their cases until after Trump’s inauguration. More than 20 federal judges have presided over these cases, with many expressing frustration at the political dynamics surrounding the riot.

Another Capitol Rioter Denied Inauguration Access

In a separate case on Wednesday, prosecutors argued against allowing Cindy Young, a convicted Capitol rioter, to attend Trump’s inauguration while under court supervision. Young, a New Hampshire resident, was sentenced in November to four months in prison and one year of supervised release.

Prosecutors described Young as a danger to Washington, D.C., and the police officers who defended the Capitol during the riot. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Harvey has given Young until Dec. 24 to respond to the prosecution’s arguments.

Broader Implications of Pardons

The prospect of pardons for Jan. 6 rioters raises significant questions about accountability and the rule of law. Experts warn that such actions could undermine public trust in the justice system and embolden future anti-government plots.

Judge Mehta’s warning highlights the stakes:

“Just to speak those words out loud ought to be shocking to anyone.”

As Trump’s inauguration approaches, the intersection of politics, justice, and the fallout from Jan. 6 continues to dominate the national discourse.

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