The most notorious Jan. 6 defendants pardoned by Trump
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President Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office on Jan. 20. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
President Trump on Monday issued pardons for nearly all of the defendants charged with participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot — an unprecedented act of clemency.
Why it matters: In doing so, Trump absolved those who sought to undermine the democratic process. He also dashed a years-long effort by former President Biden's Justice Department to hold accountable those responsible for the deadly violence.
- In addition the roughly 1,500 pardons, Trump also commuted 14 defendants' sentences.
The big picture: Trump himself was indicted after special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. However, the DOJ case was dismissed after Trump won the 2024 election.
- In his final report, Smith drew a direct line between Trump and the rioters, saying the president had "inspired his supporters to commit acts of physical violence."
Here are the most notorious Jan. 6 defendants impacted by Trump's executive order.
Enrique Tarrio: ex-Proud Boys leader
One of the most well known rioters to receive a pardon is Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, the former leader of the right-wing extremist Proud Boys group.
- Tarrio was sentenced in 2023 to 22 years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in seditious conspiracy related to the Jan. 6 riot, the longest prison sentence handed down in the Jan. 6 cases.
- Seditious conspiracy is committed when two or more people in the U.S. conspire to overthrow, destroy, seize the property of or levy war against the U.S. government, or to prevent the execution of any U.S. law.
Zoom in: While Tarrio wasn't at the Capitol riot himself, prosecutors argued that he maintained command over the Proud Boys during that time and took credit for what unfolded on behalf of the group.
- Tarrio's mother posted on X Monday night that her son was being released. "Tarrio is free!" she wrote.
Stewart Rhodes: founder of Oath Keepers
Trump commuted the sentence of Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far-right militia group Oath Keepers.
- Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2023 for seditious conspiracy, after he helped lead a plot to halt the certification of the 2020 election results.
- Rhodes was released from prison early Tuesday morning, Reuters reported.
Trump pardons Proud Boys leaders
Three other Proud Boys leaders — Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Ethan Nordean — were all military veterans and Proud Boy leaders who had their sentences commuted by Trump.
- Biggs and Rehl were sentenced for seditious conspiracy and other charges in their Jan. 6 cases, with Biggs was sentenced to 17 years in prison and Rehl to 15 years in prison.
- Nordean was sentenced to 18 years in prison after also being found guilty of seditious conspiracy.
- It was not immediately clear when the trio would be released.
Kelly Meggs: Oath Keepers leader
One of Rhodes' top deputies, Kelly Meggs, also had his sentence commuted by Trump.
- Meggs, a former Florida leader of the Oath Keepers, had been sentenced to 12 years in prison for seditious conspiracy and other felonies.
- His wife, Connie Meggs, also received a pardon for her role in the riot, per Reuters.
Go deeper: Trump pardons most Jan. 6 defendants
Editor's note: This story was corrected to reflect that Rhodes was released from prison Tuesday (not Wednesday).
