The U.S. Department of Justice has removed news releases about criminal cases related to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack from its website, labeling the information 'partisan propaganda.' This purge comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to redefine the history of the assault on the Capitol.
Key Takeaways
The DOJ has removed news releases about Jan. 6 defendants from its website, calling them partisan propaganda. The move follows Trump's pardons of all Capitol rioters and the creation of a $1.776 billion fund for those who claim unjust prosecution.
- DOJ removes news releases on Jan. 6 prosecutions
- Trump pardoned over 1,500 rioters in January 2025
- $1.776 billion fund created to compensate alleged victims of political persecution
- Acting AG Todd Blanche open to paying violent rioters
- DOJ vacated seditious conspiracy convictions for Proud Boys and Oath Keepers
On his first day back in office in January 2025, President Trump pardoned or commuted sentences for all over 1,500 people charged with crimes during the Capitol assault. This included individuals convicted of sedition and attacking officers with makeshift weapons like flagpoles and hockey sticks. Over 100 police officers were injured in the riot.
On Monday, the Justice Department announced a $1.776 billion fund to compensate Trump allies who claim they were unjustly investigated or prosecuted. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has not ruled out that even violent rioters may be eligible for payouts, sparking bipartisan anger in Congress.
After a journalist noted the removal of news releases on X, including cases like a Texas man pleading guilty to assault and facing state charges for soliciting a minor, the DOJ responded through its rapid response account. The department stated it was reversing what it called the weaponization of the DOJ under the Biden administration.
The removed releases included cases against members of far-right extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Last month, the Justice Department successfully asked a federal appeals court to vacate seditious conspiracy convictions for these groups, and on Friday moved to dismiss their cases entirely.
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