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Federal judge restricts travel of J-6 defendant whose sentence was commuted by Trump

Federal judge restricts travel of J-6 defendant whose sentence was commuted by Trump


Federal judge restricts travel of J-6 defendant whose sentence was commuted by Trump

WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Friday barred Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes from entering Washington, D.C., without the court's approval after President Donald Trump commuted his 18-year prison sentence for his involvement in the Jan. 6 2021 protest at the U.S. Capitol.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta issued the order two days after Rhodes visited the Capitol, where he met with at least one lawmaker, chatted with others and defended his actions during the Jan. 6 incident. Rhodes was released from a Maryland prison a day earlier.

Mehta’s order applies to seven other people who were convicted of charges in the protest that halted the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory over Trump. The order also prohibits them from entering the Capitol building or surrounding grounds without the court's permission.

Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy in connection with the protest.

Rhodes did not enter the building on Jan. 6 and has said it was “stupid” that members of the Oath Keepers did.

“My guys blundered through doors,” he insisted during his visit to Capitol Hill earlier this week.