The U.S. Department of Justice has reportedly dismissed at least three federal prosecutors who had been handling criminal cases tied to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. According to reports from both the Associated Press and NBC News on June 27, the terminations were confirmed by anonymous sources and a letter signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed to one of the dismissed attorneys.
These firings come amid broader efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to remove individuals within the federal government who played roles in the investigation and prosecution of those involved in the Capitol attack. The removals follow a sweeping round of cuts that have targeted prosecutors, FBI agents, and other officials linked to the post-election unrest that erupted after Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
On his first day back in office, Trump granted pardons to more than 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the Capitol riot. He referred to the rioters as “hostages” and framed the pardons as acts of justice. Among those released was Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the far-right Proud Boys, who had been sentenced to 22 years for seditious conspiracy—the longest sentence handed down for any Jan. 6 defendant. Tarrio and four other Proud Boys members are now suing the U.S. government for over $100 million, claiming their constitutional rights were violated during their arrest and incarceration.
The Justice Department has not issued an official response regarding the reported firings. However, the move has drawn strong criticism from legal advocacy groups and critics of the Trump administration, who argue the dismissals are part of a troubling pattern of politicizing the justice system.
“The firing of three January 6 prosecutors is political retaliation, plain and simple,” said a statement from the Not Above the Law Coalition, a legal watchdog group. “On day one, Trump pardoned violent criminals who attacked law enforcement and disrupted democratic institutions. Now, he’s removing the very prosecutors who sought to uphold the rule of law.”
Observers warn that the firings may further undermine the credibility of the Justice Department and raise questions about the future of accountability for the events of January 6. The Capitol riot, which left several dead and scores injured, remains one of the most significant attacks on the democratic process in U.S. history.
