Judge Timothy J. Kelly, a federal judge in Washington, reluctantly agreed to dismiss the sedition case against the Proud Boys. He stated he had little choice but to accept the Trump administration’s decision to end the prosecution.
The case had been a prominent fixture of the Justice Department’s investigations into the January 6 Capitol riot. Prosecutors originally charged multiple Proud Boys leaders with seditious conspiracy.
Judge Kelly, appointed by former President Donald Trump, expressed frustration with the dismissal. He noted the move came over the objections of the career prosecutors who handled the case.
The administration’s decision marks a significant shift in legal strategy. It halts one of the most serious cases brought against the far-right group.
Legal experts view the dismissal as a major concession to the defendants. It also raises questions about the independence of the Justice Department under the current administration.
The Proud Boys had faced severe penalties, including decades in prison, if convicted. The dismissal spares them from that outcome.
Judge Kelly’s order finalizes the end of the proceedings. He emphasized that his personal views did not override the legal requirement to grant the government’s request.
