In a significant development following the 2021 Capitol attack, a federal judge has forbidden Stewart Rhodes, the former leader of the far-right Oath Keepers group, from entering Washington DC. The order, issued by US District Court Judge Amit Mehta on Friday, also applies to seven other defendants who were part of the militia’s plot to storm the Capitol on January 6th.
Rhodes, who had been serving an 18-year sentence for his role in orchestrating the breach, was among the 1,500 individuals controversially granted pardons or commutations by former President Donald Trump shortly after he took office for a second term on Monday. The blanket clemency move allowed the Oath Keepers founder to walk free from prison on Tuesday, just two years into his original sentence.
Court Order Restricts Movement
Judge Mehta’s order stipulates that Rhodes and his co-defendants must first obtain permission from the court before setting foot in the nation’s capital. The ruling specifically bars them from entering the grounds of the US Capitol, the site of the violent insurrection aimed at overturning the 2020 presidential election results.
Also named in the order is Kelly Meggs, leader of the Oath Keeper’s Florida chapter, who had been serving a 12-year prison term. Meggs allegedly led insurrectionists into the Capitol using a “stack” formation, a military-style tactic employed in building raids.
Oath Keepers’ Role in Capitol Attack
Rhodes, a former attorney and Yale Law graduate, founded the Oath Keepers in 2009. The far-right militia group, composed largely of current and former military and law enforcement personnel, rose to national prominence for its involvement in the January 6th attack on the Capitol.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Rhodes and his followers conspired to use force to oppose the lawful transfer of presidential power, culminating in the storming of the Capitol to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s victory. The insurrection sent lawmakers fleeing for safety and led to a massive criminal investigation, with hundreds facing charges.
Controversial Presidential Pardon
Trump’s decision to grant clemency to Rhodes and other January 6th defendants has sparked intense criticism from legal experts and political opponents, who argue it undermines the rule of law and downplays the severity of the attack on American democracy. The ex-president defended the move, claiming the prosecutions were politically motivated.
Despite his early release, Rhodes will now face significant restrictions on his movements, particularly in relation to the site of the insurrection he helped plan. The court order serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences still looming over those involved in one of the darkest chapters in US history, even as political winds shift in Washington.
Implications for Far-Right Militias
The barring of Rhodes and other Oath Keeper members from the nation’s capital raises questions about the future of far-right militia groups in the US. While Trump’s pardon may have offered a reprieve for some, the court’s decision demonstrates that legal repercussions for their actions persist.
As the nation continues to grapple with the fallout from January 6th, the restrictions placed on prominent figures like Stewart Rhodes serve as a potent symbol of the ongoing efforts to hold those responsible to account and safeguard the foundations of American democracy.
