Two U.S. Prosecutors Suspended Over ‘Mob of Rioters’ Memo

UPDATE: Two U.S. attorneys in Washington, D.C., have been suspended after describing the events of January 6, 2021, as “thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters.” This urgent development comes just hours after Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White filed a sentencing memo for a case involving Taylor Taranto, who is set to be sentenced this Friday.

The prosecutors were locked out of their government-issued devices on October 29, 2023, and placed on leave immediately following the submission of the memo, which requested a 27-month prison sentence for Taranto. Taranto had previously been pardoned by former President Donald Trump for his involvement in the Capitol riots but faces separate charges related to threats and firearms.

In the memo, Valdivia and White stated, “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.” Taranto allegedly participated in the riot by entering the Capitol Building and later returned to his home in Washington State, where he promoted conspiracy theories regarding the insurrection.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro did not comment on the suspensions but emphasized the seriousness of threats against law enforcement and government officials. Pirro stated, “We have and will continue to vigorously pursue justice against those who commit or threaten violence without regard to the political party of the offender or the target.”

It remains unclear whether Valdivia and White were given a specific reason for their suspensions or if this will affect Taranto’s upcoming sentencing. The fallout from their characterization of the January 6 events has sparked significant debate and concern within legal circles.

As this story develops, all eyes will be on the sentencing hearing for Taranto, scheduled for Friday. The implications of these suspensions may reverberate throughout the legal community and impact ongoing discussions surrounding the January 6 events.

Stay tuned for more updates on this breaking news story as it unfolds.