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A federal judge has officially dismissed one of the highest-profile criminal cases connected to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol after the Department of Justice under President Donald Trump's administration requested that the charges be dropped.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly approved the Justice Department's motion, bringing an end to the prosecution involving several senior members of the Proud Boys, including former national chairman Enrique Tarrio. Although the judge granted the request, he emphasized that his decision should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the government's position.
In his ruling, Judge Kelly explained that constitutional separation of powers limits the court's authority once federal prosecutors decide to abandon a case. He stated that the judiciary does not have the power to override that decision, making dismissal the only legal option available.
The case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the same charges cannot be brought again by a future Justice Department.
The Proud Boys case became one of the most significant prosecutions following the Capitol attack. Prosecutors argued during the lengthy trial that senior members of the group played a leading role in organizing and directing actions that contributed to the breach of the Capitol building.
According to court records presented during the trial, members of the organization were involved in multiple confrontations with law enforcement as crowds entered restricted areas around the Capitol. Prosecutors alleged that the group's leadership coordinated activities that fueled the events of January 6.
Enrique Tarrio had previously received a 22-year prison sentence, the longest sentence imposed in connection with the Capitol attack. However, after returning to office, President Donald Trump issued pardons for many individuals convicted over the January 6 events and later pardoned Tarrio as well.
Several other Proud Boys members had their prison sentences commuted rather than receiving full pardons. They continued appealing their convictions until the Justice Department later requested that those convictions also be vacated.
The Department of Justice has taken similar legal steps in other January 6-related cases, including proceedings involving members of the Oath Keepers. Those requests are still being considered in separate federal court proceedings.
Following the ruling, Tarrio celebrated the decision in a post on social media, calling it a victory for the Proud Boys and describing the dismissal as justice being served.
Despite approving the government's request, Judge Kelly made clear that the decision reflected the executive branch's authority over federal prosecutions rather than the court's agreement with the policy. He also noted that the original prosecution began during the final days of President Trump's first administration.
The dismissal marks another major legal development related to the January 6 Capitol attack, a case that continues to shape political and legal debate in the United States.
