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Judge Amit Mehta Dismisses Seditious Conspiracy Case Against Oath Keepers Militia Members

Judge Amit Mehta dismissed the seditious conspiracy case against nine members of the Oath Keepers militia, including founder Stewart Rhodes, following a motion by the Justice Department. While Mehta expressed personal disagreement with the decision, he noted that the court must respect the primacy of the Executive Branch in making charging decisions. The rioters had previously been freed from prison through a series of pardons and commutations issued by President Trump. In a separate action, the Justice Department moved to dismiss a class action lawsuit brought by rioters seeking compensation for injuries allegedly caused by excessive police force. The department argued that the claims were time-barred because the plaintiffs failed to file administrative claims within the two-year window required by the first Federal Tort Claims Act. The administration announced that the plaintiffs chose to wait until July 2025 to file, well beyond the deadline. This ruling suggests that most convicted rioters may find it difficult to secure damages under this specific statute unless they can prove ongoing harm.

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