Two federal prosecutors have been placed on administrative leave following the submission of a legal brief that described the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack as being executed by “thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters.” Sources revealed that Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White were locked out of their government devices and informed of their leave shortly after they filed a sentencing memorandum in the case of Taylor Taranto, who had previously been pardoned by former President Donald Trump for his involvement in the Capitol riot.
The leave for Valdivia and White comes after they were previously furloughed due to a government shutdown, with confirmation that they would be placed on administrative leave afterward. Their action in filing the memorandum is part of a larger context where members of the Washington, D.C., U.S. attorney’s office have faced scrutiny, removals, or demotions related to the prosecution of over 1,500 defendants involved in the Capitol attack.
Taranto’s recent legal matters extend beyond the January 6 incident; he faces a separate conviction for firearms and threat charges from a June 2023 arrest outside former President Barack Obama’s home, where he was discovered with weapons and a machete. Notably, prior to his arrest, Taranto had made alarming threats, including a claim to use a car bomb.
The original sentencing memorandum filed by Valdivia and White briefly noted Taranto’s participation in the Capitol riot while highlighting his subsequent promotion of conspiracy theories related to the event. However, following the prosecutors’ leave, a new memorandum was filed which omitted all references to Taranto’s involvement in the January 6 riot. This document also removed earlier details regarding the timing of his alleged criminal behaviors in relation to social media posts from Trump.
Despite these changes, the Justice Department has maintained its recommendation for Taranto to receive a 27-month prison sentence for the firearms and threats charges stemming from his June arrest. His sentencing is scheduled to take place Thursday before U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols.
The evolving legal landscape serves as a reminder of the ongoing repercussions following the events of January 6 and highlights the complexities involved in prosecuting related cases.