DOJ Suspends Prosecutors After Sentencing Memo
On Wednesday, two federal prosecutors from the Department of Justice took a leave of absence, following the submission of a sentencing memorandum that referred to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack as an “insurrection” involving “thousands of people who comprised a mob.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White were informed that day of their suspension and were prohibited from accessing government terminals, according to various news sources.
This occurred shortly after President Trump submitted a sentencing memorandum recommending a 27-month prison term for Taylor Tarrant, who was given a blanket pardon related to crimes from January 6.
Tarrant’s upcoming sentencing might revolve around unrelated charges, including threats to the National Institute of Standards and Technology and a reported incident involving a firearm-filled van in former President Obama’s neighborhood.
In their 14-page memo, federal prosecutors spent only a few sentences addressing the events at the Capitol.
They noted, “On January 6, 2021, thousands of rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol during a joint session of Congress to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. Tarrant is accused of breaching the U.S. Capitol and participating in the Washington, D.C., riot.” Further, they mentioned that Tarrant returned to his home in Washington state and continued to promote conspiracy theories regarding the day’s events.
Valdivia and White were the main writers of the memo, which also carried the signature of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, a Trump appointee and former Fox News host overseeing Tarrant’s prosecution.
The U.S. prosecutors did not reply to requests for comments, while Pirro released a statement emphasizing that the office treats violence against law enforcement seriously, without diving into specifics about the suspension.
She remarked, “We have and will continue to vigorously pursue justice for those who commit or threaten to commit violence, regardless of the political affiliation of the perpetrator or the target.”
