‘Bulls**t’: The People Who Fought Off Jan. 6 Rioters Have A Lot To Say About Donald Trump’s New Move

Police officers who were at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 said the Justice Department’s effort to erase convictions tied to extremist groups feels like a new low point.

For the people who were there defending the building from a violent crowd of Donald Trump’s supporters, the idea of wiping away convictions against groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys is deeply troubling. These groups had been found guilty of serious crimes for their role in the attack, and now officials are trying to undo that.

Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn didn’t hold back, calling the move “bullshit.” To him and others, it feels like a betrayal of what they went through that day.

Another officer, Aquilino Gonell, said instead of recognizing the bravery of police who protected lawmakers, Trump and his team keep pushing a version of events that ignores the truth.

Julie Farnam, who worked in intelligence for Capitol Police at the time, said this decision shows a wider problem — that respect for the law is slipping. She explained that she had warned her superiors days before the attack that extremists were planning to target Congress, but her warnings were ignored. Now, she worries people will start thinking they can get away with dangerous actions, especially when it comes to politics.

The Justice Department recently asked a court to throw out the convictions of Oath Keepers leader Elmer Rhodes and Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. Tarrio had already received a pardon and had his long prison sentence reduced, while Rhodes also had his sentence shortened. If the court agrees, it would completely clear their records.

What made this move more surprising is that it came right before a scheduled court hearing where these convictions were supposed to be challenged. By stepping in early, the Justice Department avoids having to defend the original cases in court.

Dunn believes this was done to avoid being put in a position where officials might have to defend something they no longer support. He said this isn’t about justice, but about avoiding a difficult legal fight and not having to speak against Trump.

Neither Dunn nor Gonell said they were shocked. They pointed out that Trump and some of his allies have repeatedly downplayed the seriousness of the January 6 attack, even though more than 140 police officers were injured and lives were lost. Gonell himself was badly hurt during the attack and had to retire because of his injuries.

Both Rhodes and Tarrio were originally convicted after long trials where jurors saw a large amount of evidence, including messages, witness testimony, and video footage. The Oath Keepers were shown to have stored weapons nearby and prepared for violence, while the Proud Boys had been organizing and recruiting people ahead of the attack.

Gonell said this latest move goes against claims that the administration supports law and order. He argued that if that were true, there wouldn’t be such a strong effort to rewrite or erase what happened that day.

Since Trump returned to power, the Justice Department has changed direction on many January 6 cases. Some prosecutors involved in those cases have been fired, while others have been pushed out or reassigned.

There have also been legal settlements. For example, the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot during the attack, received a $5 million payment from the government. Meanwhile, members of the Proud Boys have filed lawsuits seeking large sums of money, claiming they were unfairly prosecuted.

Dunn pointed out that if these lawsuits succeed, the money will come from taxpayers. He stressed that people should understand that the public is ultimately the one paying for these decisions.

He said officers like him have already paid a heavy price through physical injuries, emotional stress, and what he described as ongoing attempts to distort the truth. Now, he believes the public may also feel the impact financially.

Dunn also noted that even though some people say it’s time to move on from January 6, the issue keeps being brought back into the spotlight again and again.

Farnam said she is worried that how these cases are being handled could encourage more extremism. She believes some far-right groups feel more accepted now and are less afraid of consequences.

Even though groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers are less visible than before, their influence hasn’t disappeared. According to Farnam, their ideas and tactics seem to have inspired others.

Threats against members of Congress and their families have risen sharply in recent years. Reports show thousands more threats being made, with a big increase from one year to the next.

Farnam said these threats are not aimed at just one political party both Democrats and Republicans have been targeted. She believes some people now feel encouraged to act out because they think they will be supported or even praised, even if they end up being arrested.