DOJ Puts Prosecutors On Leave For Accurately Describing Jan. 6 Attack

The Department of Justice (DOJ) this week placed two federal prosecutors on leave after they wrote in a court filing that on Jan. 6, 2021, “thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol,”  a source familiar with the personnel moves told Democracy Docket.

The two D.C. federal prosecutors, Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White, were locked out of their devices and placed on leave just hours after filing a sentencing memo in the department’s case against Taylor Taranto, a former Jan. 6 defendant, according to ABC News, which first reported on the removals.

Taranto was among the 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants President Donald Trump pardoned in January but he faced separate firearms and false information charges stemming from his 2023 arrest near the home of former President Barack Obama.

Taranto, who was found with illegal guns and ammunition near Obama’s house, was convicted of those charges in May. In their memo Tuesday, Valdivia and White, asked a judge to sentence Taranto to 27 months in prison. 

Laying out the factual background of their request, Valdivia and White told the court Taranto participated in the Jan. 6 attack and subsequently spread conspiracy theories about it.

“On January 6, 2021, thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol while a joint session of Congress met to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election,” they wrote. “Taranto was accused of participating in the riot in Washington, D.C., by entering the U.S. Capitol Building.”

“After the riot, Taranto returned to his home in the State of Washington, where he promoted conspiracy theories about the events of January 6, 2021,” the prosecutors added.

 Jeanine Pirro, the former Fox News host turned U.S. attorney for D.C., signed off on the sentencing memo.

However, Wednesday morning, just hours after they filed the memo, Valdivia and White were placed on leave. The unexpected move was initiated by White House officials, according to MSNBC.

Valdivia and White being placed on leave is the latest example of the Trump White House dictating personnel changes within the DOJ — a break from the department’s longstanding independence from the president. It’s also part of the administration’s campaign to wipe the memory of the Jan 6. attacks from the historical record.

Earlier this year, Trump DOJ appointees fired dozens of prosecutors and staff who worked on Jan. 6 criminal cases. 

The DOJ did not immediately respond to Democracy Docket’s request for comment.

Jim Saksa contributed reporting