Prosecutors Placed on Leave After Capitol Riot Brief

Washington, D.C. – Two federal prosecutors were placed on leave Wednesday after filing a legal brief characterizing the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol as a “mob of rioters.” The prosecutors, Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White, were notified of their suspension just hours after submitting a sentencing memorandum in the case against Taylor Taranto, sources with knowledge of the situation told ABC News.

The two attorneys were locked out of their government devices and informed they would be on leave following a furlough due to the ongoing government shutdown. Their suspension followed a period of turmoil within the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., where several prosecutors had faced scrutiny for their handling of cases related to over 1,500 defendants from the Capitol attack.

Taranto was previously pardoned by former President Donald Trump for his involvement in the events of January 6 but faces separate charges related to firearms and threats. In June 2023, Taranto was arrested near former President Barack Obama‘s home with illegal weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. A day before his arrest, he made threatening comments online, including a claim about using a car bomb.

In their original sentencing memo, Valdivia and White noted, “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.” The memo included details of Taranto’s alleged actions during and after the riot.

However, a subsequent memorandum filed later Wednesday removed references to Taranto’s involvement in the Capitol attack. It still recommended a sentence of 27 months for Taranto related to his firearms convictions. The new memo did not include how Taranto’s online activity linked to former President Trump’s posts that preceded his arrest.

The Justice Department has not confirmed whether Valdivia or White were given specific reasons for their leave. A spokesperson did not respond to requests for comments on the matter.

This incident reflects ongoing personnel changes within federal offices that appear to be influenced by the political climate regarding the January 6 events and ongoing prosecutions.