The Justice Department has recently taken measures that further align with President Trump’s efforts to diminish the impact of the Capitol breach on January 6, 2021. On Friday evening, federal prosecutors in Washington initiated motions to dismiss the most severe criminal charges related to these events. These charges included those against leaders and members of far-right groups such as the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers who were convicted of seditious conspiracy.

The Department’s official social media account has confirmed the removal of online archives that publicized cases against individuals involved in the riot. This investigation spanned from 2021 to 2025 and was considered the most extensive in the department’s history, involving charges against close to 1,600 individuals.

Following Trump’s commencement of his second term and his granting of clemency to all defendants, steps were taken to dismantle the efforts to hold rioters accountable. Senior officials, including the acting attorney general Todd Blanche, played roles in establishing a $1.8 billion fund. This fund aims to compensate Trump allies who feel wronged by previous Democratic administrations. Many Jan. 6 participants are welcoming this move, expressing intentions to file claims for compensation.

Dismissal motions regarding the individuals from the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers mark another effort to erase significant proceedings related to the Capitol attack. Although pardons and sentence commutations were already granted, dismissing charges would symbolically support these individuals further. It would also allow veterans among them to regain terminated military benefits.