Judge Considers Imprisoning Jan 6 Rioter Pardoned by Trump After Security Incident Involving Top Democrat

A rioter from the January 6 Capitol events, who received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, sparked renewed security concerns in Washington, D.C. after appearing near the residence of Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD). This prompted federal prosecutors to request his immediate detention.

Taylor Taranto, convicted earlier this year for threatening federal buildings and possessing weapons near former President Barack Obamas neighborhood, returned to the capital despite being under court-ordered supervised release. Authorities noted that his actions echoed the behavior that initially led to his arrest two years ago.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols refrained from ordering Tarantos detention but indicated he would consider the governments request in the near future. The judge instructed him to return to Washington state for the holiday period and to avoid D.C. until the new year.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Travis Wolf argued that Taranto was on a path to repeat his previous misconduct, citing concerning livestreams, alarming social media contentincluding a video shot in a Pentagon parking lotand violations of supervision rules.

Taranto previously served two years in prison before Judge Nichols imposed supervised release instead of additional jail time. Prosecutors now contend that his return to Washington signals that the earlier leniency may have been a misjudgment.

Defense attorney Carmen Hernndez requested time to review the governments claims and asked that Taranto be permitted to spend Christmas with his family. Probation officer Sean Stallman opposed immediate imprisonment, suggesting stricter monitoring of substance use and mental health treatment as alternatives.

After promising to drive home by midday Friday, Taranto was allowed to leave voluntarily. Judge Nichols cautioned that he is fully prepared to order incarceration should Taranto breach any court directives.

Author: Lucas Grant