Judge tosses remnants of Proud Boys seditious conspiracy case after Trump’s broad clemency
PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-07-11 15:49:00 — www.pbs.org
Judge Cites Trump’s Well-Known Intention to Pardon Jan. 6 Rioters as Seditious Conspiracy Convictions Are Dismissed
A federal judge has dismissed the remaining landmark seditious conspiracy convictions against Proud Boys members, citing President Donald Trump’s widely known views and actions regarding the prosecution of those who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, who was nominated by Trump, wrote that “President Trump’s views about the prosecution of those who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6 — whether those views are based on fact or fiction — are well known, as is his intention to extend clemency to them.” This statement directly attributes to Trump a clear position: his intent to pardon or commute sentences for individuals convicted in connection with the Capitol riot.
The judge’s order followed Trump’s sweeping use of presidential clemency powers last year, which erased every case prosecuted after the Capitol attack. Judge Kelly emphasized that his ruling should not be seen as an endorsement of the Department of Justice’s decision to abandon the case, describing the Capitol riot as “a perilous event” and an assault on the constitutional imperative for a peaceful transfer of power.
The Proud Boys leaders were convicted of orchestrating violent plots to keep Trump in power after he lost the 2020 presidential election. The judge noted there was “little mystery” about why the Trump administration decided to abandon this and other Jan. 6 riot cases, underscoring the direct link between Trump’s well-publicized position and the legal outcome.
This development highlights the extraordinary influence of Trump’s public stance and official actions on the fate of high-profile prosecutions related to the Capitol attack. As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of January 6, the judge’s remarks serve as a reminder of the ongoing debate over accountability, presidential power, and the future of American democracy.