Summary
The US Department of Justice has asked a federal appeals court to cancel the convictions of 12 people found guilty of planning the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. These individuals, including members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, had their prison sentences shortened by President Trump but still had their convictions on record.
Key Facts
- The DOJ wants a court to throw out the convictions of 12 people involved in the Capitol riot.
- These people were convicted of seditious conspiracy, meaning they tried to overthrow the government.
- President Trump shortened their prison sentences but did not clear their convictions.
- If the court agrees, it would remove the convictions from their records.
- President Trump issued pardons or sentence reductions for more than 1,500 people involved in the riot.
- Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison but is seeking to clear his record.
- The US Court of Appeals has a deadline of April 17 to decide on these requests.
- Former Proud Boys leader Henry Tarrio was pardoned after a 22-year prison sentence.
