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Monday, Feb 23, 2026
Outside the box.
Capitol Riot Leaders Freed Following Trump's Pardon
Enrique Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes, prominent individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot, have been freed from incarceration after receiving pardons and sentence reductions from President Trump.
Enrique Tarrio, the former Proud Boys leader, and Stewart Rhodes, the Oath Keepers founder, have been released from prison due to actions taken by President Donald Trump.
Tarrio, who received a 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy related to the January 6th Capitol riot, and Rhodes, sentenced to 18 years for orchestrating Oath Keepers’ presence in Washington, had their sentences affected by Trump's recent pardons and commutations.
Rhodes, whose sentence was commuted rather than pardoned, remains in custody awaiting further developments.
Tarrio’s release was the result of a pardon issued soon after Trump decided to dismiss charges against those involved in the Capitol riot.
Trump also directed the Department of Justice to withdraw all pending cases against riot suspects, many of whom have been detained for over a year.
The release of these individuals and the broader pardon initiative has sparked criticism, especially from Democrats, who see it as an effort to minimize the significance of the violence on January 6th, which injured over 140 police officers and led to several deaths.
Trump, referring to the detained rioters as 'hostages,' has defended his actions, calling the January 6th events 'peaceful.'
Tarrio, who received a 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy related to the January 6th Capitol riot, and Rhodes, sentenced to 18 years for orchestrating Oath Keepers’ presence in Washington, had their sentences affected by Trump's recent pardons and commutations.
Rhodes, whose sentence was commuted rather than pardoned, remains in custody awaiting further developments.
Tarrio’s release was the result of a pardon issued soon after Trump decided to dismiss charges against those involved in the Capitol riot.
Trump also directed the Department of Justice to withdraw all pending cases against riot suspects, many of whom have been detained for over a year.
The release of these individuals and the broader pardon initiative has sparked criticism, especially from Democrats, who see it as an effort to minimize the significance of the violence on January 6th, which injured over 140 police officers and led to several deaths.
Trump, referring to the detained rioters as 'hostages,' has defended his actions, calling the January 6th events 'peaceful.'
