Legal Proceedings Continue for Jan. 6 Rioters

Four years after the January 6 Capitol riot, over 1,500 federal cases remain ongoing, with nearly 500 still awaiting trial or sentencing. The Department of Justice continues to prosecute those involved in the attack, with charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, including assault and seditious conspiracy. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to pardon many of these individuals, whom he describes as 'political prisoners,' raising questions about the future of these cases once he assumes office. Approximately 1,100 cases have already reached sentencing, but Trump's potential influence could lead to the dismissal or alteration of pending cases. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasizes the DOJ's commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect civil liberties. Federal judges have expressed concerns about the potential impact of Trump's presidency on ongoing legal proceedings.