Trump Administration Deletes DOJ Jan. 6 Prosecution Records Amid Rewrite Effort

In late May 2026 the Justice Department removed hundreds of news releases on Jan. 6 prosecutions, erasing pages on high-profile assault cases such as Daniel Rodriguez (12-year sentence for electroshocking Officer Michael Fanone), Albuquerque Head, Thomas Webster, Christopher Alberts, Peter Schwartz, Zach Rehl, Ryan Samsel, Julian Khater and Riley Williams.

Texas Public Radio

The Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol breach injured 140 officers and produced nearly 1,600 criminal cases. Since January 2025, President Donald Trump has issued broad clemency, pardoning most defendants and commuting violent sentences. The administration launched a White House page labeling rioters “patriots,” settled a $5 million claim with Ashli Babbitt’s estate, and created a $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to compensate prosecuted individuals.

NPR

Criminal cases ~1,600; police injuries 140; notable sentences include Rodriguez >12 years, Head >7 years, Webster 10 years, Alberts 7 years, Schwartz 14 years; Anti-Weaponization Fund reported at $1.8 billion (DOJ) and $1.7 billion (other sources); $5 million settlement with Babbitt estate.

Texas Public Radio

The Justice Department’s X “rapid response” post said it was reversing “weaponization under the Biden administration” and stripping partisan propaganda from its website. President Trump described the rioters as victims, stating, “I pardoned people that were assaulted themselves. They were assaulted by our government.” The department gave no timeline for the deletions or indication of similar actions for other pardoned defendants.

NPR

Former prosecutor Brendan Ballou represents two officers suing to block anti-weaponization fund payouts. The fund faces bipartisan congressional criticism: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) vowed to “try and kill” it; Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) called it “stupid on stilts,” and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) called it a “slush fund to pay people who assault cops.” Critics say the deletions and fund erode accountability for assaults on law-enforcement officers.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Sources list the fund at $1.8 billion or $1.7 billion. The Justice Department has not clarified the purge’s start date, and some releases (e.g., Ryan Samsel) remain online while others are removed, showing an inconsistent process.

NPR

• “We are proud to reverse the DOJ's weaponization under the Biden administration. We will do everything in our power to make whole those who were persecuted for political purposes. This includes stripping DOJ's website of partisan propaganda.” — Justice Department, X statement

NPR

• “I pardoned people that were assaulted themselves. They were assaulted by our government,” — Donald Trump, 2025 interview

NPR

• “6, because these people know if they can successfully get people to forget about Jan.” — Brendan Ballou, former federal prosecutor

NPR

• “So the nation’s top law enforcement official is asking for a slush fund to pay people who assault cops?” — Mitch McConnell, Senate Republican leader

Philadelphia Inquirer

NPR is pursuing litigation to obtain additional video evidence held by the government. Ongoing lawsuits challenge the anti-weaponization fund, and congressional oversight committees are expected to investigate the scope and timing of the DOJ’s deletions.

NPR