Two federal prosecutors involved in the January 6 cases, Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White, have been placed on leave by the Department of Justice. The news comes shortly after they filed a sentencing memorandum for Taylor Taranto, a participant in the January 6 protests, who was later convicted on separate charges. Previously, both prosecutors had described the protesters as a “mob of rioters” in their official documents.
The prosecutors were informed of their leave on October 29, 2025, just hours after they submitted their memorandum referencing the January 6 events. Details from this memorandum note that thousands “attacked the U.S. Capitol while a joint session of Congress met to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.” This language matches the narrative often presented by the government and mainstream media, framing the incident in stark terms.
Following the federal shutdown, both Valdivia and White found themselves locked out of their government devices. Although no official comment was made regarding their disciplinary action, journalist Julie Kelly highlighted the situation via social media, indicating that their leave stemmed from misrepresentations made in their memo about the January 6 events.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro underscored the seriousness of violence against law enforcement and government officials in her statement. “We have and will continue to vigorously pursue justice against those who commit or threaten violence without regard to the political party of the offender or the target,” she asserted. This indicates a commitment to impartiality, even amidst politically charged cases.
The case against Taranto underscores a more complex narrative. Despite his involvement in January 6, the charges he now faces are far more serious. Convicted of illegally carrying firearms, among other offenses, Taranto was found guilty on three counts linked to a bomb hoax in 2023. In a chilling demonstration on social media, he broadcasted himself acting out plans to create a detonator for a potential car bomb. This act serves as a stark reminder that the actions of individuals can escalate dangerously, deviating from the protests on January 6.
Taranto’s sentencing before U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols is set for Thursday, where he faces serious consequences for his recent conduct. The broader implications of the furlough of the prosecutors may reflect an ongoing reevaluation of how these cases are handled, particularly as public scrutiny continues to grow regarding the government’s approach to January 6 participants.
As the situation unfolds, the legal community will likely watch closely to see how such personnel decisions will affect future prosecutions and the narratives surrounding the events of that day. The recent developments not only highlight internal issues within the Department of Justice but also raise questions about the integrity of the prosecution process itself. It appears the landscape of accountability is still shifting in the wake of one of the most scrutinized events in modern American political history.
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