The Trump administration has removed a large amount of information related to prosecutions connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol from government websites.
According to reports, Justice Department news releases involving guilty pleas, convictions, and prison sentences disappeared from official websites last week.
Many of the deleted pages now display “Page not found” messages.
Justice Department Defends the Move
On social media, the United States Department of Justice defended the removals, claiming the deleted material represented what it called “partisan propaganda” connected to the Biden administration.
The administration said it wanted to reverse what it described as the “weaponization” of the Justice Department.
Deleted Cases Included Assaults on Police Officers
Reports state that several deleted news releases involved defendants accused or convicted of violently assaulting law enforcement officers during the Capitol riot.
The removed records reportedly included cases involving:
| Defendant | Allegations and Sentence |
|---|---|
| Daniel Rodriguez | Pleaded guilty to using a stun device on former officer Michael Fanone and received more than 12 years in prison |
| Albuquerque Head | Convicted in assault involving officer Michael Fanone and sentenced to more than seven years |
| Thomas Webster | Convicted of assaulting police with a metal flagpole and sentenced to 10 years |
| Christopher Alberts | Convicted of assaulting police and carrying a loaded handgun on Capitol grounds |
| Peter Schwartz | Convicted of attacking officers with pepper spray and throwing a chair at police |
Administration Continues Broader Jan. 6 Actions
The removals are part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump and his administration related to Jan. 6 cases.
Reports state Trump granted clemency to all Jan. 6 defendants, including individuals convicted of violent crimes connected to the riot.
The administration also reportedly dismissed prosecutors involved in Jan. 6 investigations and settled a wrongful death lawsuit involving rioter Ashli Babbitt for nearly $5 million.
Police Officers Continue Speaking About Lasting Injuries
Many police officers injured during the Capitol attack have publicly discussed ongoing physical and emotional trauma from the riot.
Former Capitol Police Sgt. Federico Ruiz described suffering long-term pain and mental health struggles connected to the events of Jan. 6.
Authorities previously reported that around 140 police officers were injured during the attack on the Capitol.
Critics Say History Is Being Rewritten
Former federal prosecutor Brendan Ballou told reporters the effort to remove records could impact public understanding of the Capitol riot.
Ballou said attempts to minimize or rewrite the events of Jan. 6 could weaken public trust in democratic institutions.
He currently represents police officers involved in lawsuits connected to the administration’s newly announced Anti-Weaponization Fund.
NPR Archive Still Available
Although government webpages have been removed, reports say NPR’s searchable database and visual archive documenting Jan. 6 prosecutions remains publicly accessible.
The archive reportedly includes nearly 1,600 criminal cases, video evidence, timelines, charges, and sentencing outcomes connected to the Capitol attack.
