A federal judge appointed by Donald Trump on Friday granted the Justice Department's motion to dismiss the seditious conspiracy convictions of four Proud Boys leaders for their roles in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to NBC News. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly permanently closes the case against Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola, marking the final unraveling of one of the most significant prosecutions stemming from the Capitol riot.

Main Story

On July 10, 2026, U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly granted the Justice Department's motion to dismiss the convictions of four Proud Boys leaders with prejudice, according to NBC News. The ruling permanently closes the case against Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola, who were among the most prominent defendants charged for their roles in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

In a seven-page memorandum, Kelly wrote that while the federal government can request dismissal, he did not approve of the administration's move, according to The Guardian. He noted that the decision to issue the executive order and abandon the prosecution — even after securing convictions for serious crimes — rests solely with the Executive. Kelly indicated that he could not sustain the case once the Justice Department declined to maintain the prosecution, adding that denying the motion would not revive the convictions or lead to a retrial.

The judge also referenced President Trump's views on January 6, stating that whether those views are based on fact or fiction is well known, and that Trump's intention to extend clemency through the executive order was clear, according to CBS News.

Background of the Case

In 2023, Nordean, Biggs, and Rehl were convicted of seditious conspiracy for their leadership roles in the Proud Boys' attack on the Capitol, according to CBS News. All three received lengthy prison sentences. Pezzola was convicted of assaulting or resisting officers, robbery involving government property, obstruction, and other charges. Video footage showed him smashing a Capitol window with a riot shield, creating the first entry point through which hundreds of rioters streamed into the building, according to The Guardian.

The Justice Department had argued that Nordean and Pezzola participated in every consequential breach at the Capitol, leading a group of Proud Boys onto the grounds, dismantling barricades, breaching the building, assaulting police, and destroying property, according to CBS News.

Trump's Pardons and the DOJ's Motion

Upon returning to office in January 2025, President Trump issued a sweeping clemency order pardoning about 1,500 people charged or convicted for their actions on January 6, according to NBC News. The order commuted the sentences of 14 Proud Boys members, including the four leaders, but left their convictions in place. In April 2026, the Justice Department moved to dismiss the convictions entirely, leading to Friday's ruling.

The dismissals are among the last remaining January 6 cases to stand after Trump's mass pardons, according to NBC News.

Why It Matters

The dismissal of the Proud Boys' seditious conspiracy convictions marks a significant legal and political milestone. The case was one of the most serious prosecutions to emerge from the January 6 attack, with defendants facing charges of conspiring to oppose the lawful transfer of presidential power. The ruling effectively ends the federal government's pursuit of accountability for the far-right group's leadership, despite a jury having found them guilty of orchestrating the assault.

Judge Kelly's memorandum, while granting the motion, made clear his disagreement with the administration's decision, according to The Guardian. He wrote that no one should mistake the court's granting of the motion for its agreement with those decisions, according to NBC News.

Political Context

The ruling comes amid ongoing debate over the Trump administration's approach to the January 6 prosecutions. Trump has consistently characterized the attack as a legitimate protest and has framed those convicted as political prisoners. His mass pardons and the subsequent DOJ motion to dismiss remaining convictions have drawn criticism from lawmakers and legal observers who argue that the actions undermine the rule of law and the work of the courts.

Judge Kelly, appointed by Trump in 2017, noted that the executive branch has sole authority over prosecutorial decisions, but his pointed remarks suggested unease with the administration's rationale, according to The Guardian.

Timeline

  • January 6, 2021: Proud Boys members participate in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, with Pezzola smashing a window to allow rioters entry.
  • 2023: Nordean, Biggs, and Rehl are convicted of seditious conspiracy; Pezzola is convicted on multiple charges. All receive lengthy prison sentences.
  • January 2025: President Trump issues sweeping pardons for about 1,500 January 6 defendants, commuting the sentences of 14 Proud Boys but leaving convictions intact.
  • April 2026: The Justice Department moves to dismiss the convictions of the four Proud Boys leaders.
  • July 10, 2026: Judge Kelly grants the motion, dismissing all convictions with prejudice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the judge decide?

Judge Timothy Kelly granted the DOJ's motion to dismiss the convictions of four Proud Boys leaders with prejudice, permanently closing the case. (NBC News)

Who were the defendants?

Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola — all leaders or members of the Proud Boys. (CBS News)

What were they convicted of?

Nordean, Biggs, and Rehl were convicted of seditious conspiracy; Pezzola was convicted of assaulting officers and destroying government property. (The Guardian)

Why did the DOJ move to dismiss?

The DOJ acted after President Trump's January 2025 pardons commuted their sentences; the motion was part of the administration's broader effort to end January 6 prosecutions. (NBC News)

Did the judge agree with the dismissal?

No. Judge Kelly wrote that he did not approve of the administration's decision but had no practical choice but to grant the motion. (The Guardian)

What Happens Next

With the convictions dismissed with prejudice, the case against the four Proud Boys leaders is permanently closed. The defendants, who were already released from prison after Trump's commutations, face no further legal consequences from this prosecution. The ruling represents the final chapter in one of the most high-profile January 6 cases, as the Trump administration continues to dismantle the legal legacy of the Capitol attack investigations. Observers will watch for any further DOJ actions regarding remaining January 6 defendants, though few cases remain after the mass pardons.