Judge Bars Stewart Rhodes From D.C. After Trump Commutes Sentence for 1,500 Charged in Capitol Attack

Jan 24, 2025, 04:33 PM

A federal judge has barred Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes from entering Washington, D.C., without the court's approval following President Donald Trump's commutation of his 18-year prison sentence for his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta issued the order after Rhodes visited Capitol Hill, where he met with lawmakers and defended his actions during the riot. The order also applies to seven other defendants involved in the same conspiracy case. Rhodes, who was released from prison as part of Trump's clemency action that benefited more than 1,500 people charged in the attack, did not enter the Capitol on January 6 but was convicted of seditious conspiracy for orchestrating a plot to stop the transfer of power. While Trump pardoned most defendants, he only commuted the sentences of Rhodes and 13 others. During his visit to Capitol Hill, Rhodes stopped at a Dunkin' Donuts inside the House office building before expressing his desire for a full pardon from Trump to restore his rights.