A federal judge has reluctantly dismissed the seditious conspiracy case against leaders and members of the Oath Keepers in the final January 6 U.S. Capitol riot case. Judge Amit Mehta wrote in his order dismissing cases against nine people that the decision diminishes the gravity of that day and denigrates the work of the prosecutors and law enforcement officers who secured these convictions.

Background of the Case

The case involved the Oath Keepers, a group that had plotted out a quick reaction force in Virginia and had amassed a number of firearms and ammunition in Virginia for January 6. The group, however, was not used, organized or deployed that day. Several members of the group entered the Capitol building and engaged in confrontations with police officers inside.

Mehta had previously sentenced the group’s leader, Stewart Rhodes, to 18 years behind bars for his actions surrounding that day. Mehta said Rhodes had organized Oath Keeper teams that day and had helped bring them to Washington, D.C., and gave orders to go into the Capitol.

Justice Department’s Decision

The Justice Department’s decision to dismiss the case was not in the public interest, according to Mehta. The government’s motion to toss the case was made after President Donald Trump’s commutations and pardons of all those involved in the January 6, 2021, attack.

Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.