A U.S. District judge has voiced serious concerns about the idea of President-elect Donald Trump potentially pardoning Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, who played a key role in the January 6 Capitol attack.
On Wednesday, Judge Amit Mehta, who previously sentenced Rhodes to 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, shared his thoughts during the sentencing of another Oath Keeper member. Rhodes’ conviction stems from his involvement in planning and encouraging violence to disrupt Congress as they certified Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential win.
Speaking in Washington, D.C., Judge Mehta called the possibility of a pardon for Rhodes “frightening” and said it should alarm anyone who values democracy. Rhodes and his allies had plotted to stockpile weapons at a hotel in Arlington, Virginia, and even discussed using a boat to ferry them across the Potomac River to the Capitol.
The judge’s remarks came as he sentenced William Todd Wilson, another Oath Keeper, to one year of home detention and three years of probation. Wilson had pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy, admitting his role in the planning of the January 6 attack. Mehta described the group’s actions as being fueled by a dangerous mindset, saying their plans came from “a madman.”
President-elect Trump has previously hinted at the possibility of pardoning those involved in the Capitol riot, even suggesting he might do so on his first day in office. While Trump hasn’t laid out specific plans, the idea of mass pardons has already raised concerns among several federal judges.
Another judge, Carl Nichols, recently commented on the issue while handling the case of Edward Jacob Lang, a January 6 defendant who proudly shared his involvement on social media. Nichols warned that blanket pardons for all the rioters would be deeply frustrating and disappointing, suggesting such a move could undermine accountability.
The January 6 riot saw thousands of Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. Rhodes, who founded the Oath Keepers in 2009, was a central figure in the attack, alongside others like Kelly Meggs, Jessica Watkins, Thomas Caldwell, and Kenneth Harrelson. Prosecutors presented evidence of their coordinated efforts, which included storing weapons and preparing for violent confrontation.
Judge Mehta’s words highlight the ongoing debate about justice and accountability for those involved in one of the darkest days in recent U.S. history. As Trump prepares to take office, questions remain about how he will handle the legal cases tied to January 6. For now, judges like Mehta and Nichols are making it clear that they believe the rule of law must stand, regardless of political considerations.
