U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta has decided to dismiss the seditious-conspiracy charges against Stewart Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers, along with seven other members of the group. This comes as they faced allegations of planning to breach the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The decision was reached on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of a legal process aimed at dropping penalties related to the incident. Although Judge Mehta agreed to this dismissal, he expressed criticism towards the Justice Department. He disapproved of their actions to undo the most severe convictions associated with the case.

A photo captured on January 22, 2025, shows Stewart Rhodes conversing with election denier Ivan Raiklin, highlighting the ongoing discussions surrounding the case and its implications. Judge Mehta admitted reluctance in his ruling to dismiss the charges, underlining the complex nature of the legal proceedings and their outcomes.