A federal judge in Washington DC has dismissed all seditious conspiracy charges against Proud Boys members connected to January 6, 2021, ending one of the final remaining prosecutions from that day. The decision came after the Trump administration’s Department of Justice moved to abandon the controversial case that critics say relied on fabricated evidence.
Planted Evidence Scandal
The Biden-era prosecution centered on a document titled “1776 Returns” that prosecutors used as their primary evidence. According to court filings and defense attorneys, federal agents created this document and inserted it into a Proud Boys chat group. Defense lawyers maintained that group members never opened or read the file, yet prosecutors built their entire seditious conspiracy case around it as proof of coordinated planning.
JUST IN: Justice Department moves to dismiss most serious criminal case filed over #Jan6 Capitol Riot: seditious conspiracy prosecution of Proud Boys. Doc: https://t.co/wbVvYrcuVO Earlier: https://t.co/PTjFTMNn4p
— Josh Gerstein (@joshgerstein) May 23, 2026
Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio received a 22-year prison sentence despite not being present in Washington DC on January 6. Prosecutors allegedly pressured Tarrio to provide testimony against President Trump in exchange for leniency. When he refused, the government proceeded with maximum sentencing recommendations. Tarrio celebrated the dismissal Friday night, declaring vindication for himself and other members charged in the case.
Judge’s Reluctant Ruling
District Court Judge Tim Kelly granted the Justice Department’s motion to dismiss but made clear his personal disagreement with the decision. Kelly wrote that separation of powers principles left him no authority to override prosecutors who chose to abandon their case. He dismissed the charges with prejudice, permanently barring future administrations from refiling the same accusations. The judge added a pointed note that granting the government’s motion should not be mistaken for agreement with their reasoning.
FBI Infiltration Revealed
Recent disclosures show that at least 274 FBI personnel had infiltrated the January 6 crowds, raising questions about the extent of federal involvement in that day’s events. Critics argue this massive law enforcement presence complicates narratives about spontaneous violence and coordination among protest groups. Four Trump supporters died during the events of January 6, with several hundred protesters reporting injuries from police responses. The dismissal of these seditious conspiracy charges represents a significant reversal of the Biden administration’s aggressive prosecution strategy targeting participants in the January 6 protests.