Two federal prosecutors were placed on administrative leave Wednesday, just hours after they referred to the January 6 Capitol attackers as “a mob of rioters” in a court filing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel White and Carlos Valdivia were removed from the case of Taylor Taranto, who was convicted on gun charges after driving to former President Barack Obama’s neighborhood. This happened shortly after Donald Trump posted what he claimed was Obama’s address online.
The memo filed by the prosecutors described the 2021 Capitol attack and asked for a 27-month sentence for Taranto. The Justice Department did not publicly explain why they were suspended.
Their removal comes one day before they were scheduled to appear in court for Taranto’s sentencing. The move also aligns with other recent personnel changes targeting DOJ staff who’ve worked on cases involving Trump or January 6.
Taranto had previously been charged for his role in the Capitol attack but was later pardoned by Trump. He remained jailed for a 2023 incident involving threats and firearms.
No official statement was issued about the suspension, but sources say the DOJ’s Executive Office for United States Attorneys made the decision. A new prosecutor has since joined the case.
