Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes among North Texans released from prison after Jan 6 pardons
DALLAS - The highest-profile defendant of the Capitol riot from North Texas left prison after President Donald Trump granted clemency to hundreds of January 6 defendants.
The federal government prosecuted more than 60 North Texans for their role in the Capitol riot.
President Trump often referred to those rounded up by the feds for the January 6 Capitol attack as "hostages."
In his inaugural address on Monday, Trump said January 20, 2025, is ‘Liberation Day.’
Among those granted clemency was the leader of a far-right militia convicted of seditious conspiracy.
Who was pardoned?
What we know:
Through an executive order Monday night, President Trump pardoned all those convicted of federal crimes in the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
Stewart Rhodes
Granbury-native Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers extremist group, was released from federal custody three years into his 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy after being commuted.
"We knew it was coming because he promised us," said Rhodes. "Promises made; promises kept. We knew it was going to happen."
Supporters of those imprisoned gathered to show support as Rhodes and others were being freed, including Enrique Tarrio, former head of the Proud Boys extremist group.
Jenna Ryan

Jenna Ryan at the Capitol riot on Jan . 6
The FBI’s Dallas Division made more than 60 Capitol riot-related arrests.
Some North Texans, like Jenna Ryan, were convicted of more moderate crimes like entering and remaining in a restricted building.
Ryan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 days in jail. She was also issued $1,500 in fines.
Guy Reffitt

Guy Reffitt pictured among Capital rioters on Jan. 6
Others like Wylie-native Guy Reffitt, who a jury found guilty of five felonies including obstruction and civil disorder, received more than seven years in prison.
In 2021, Reffitt’s 18-year-old son, Jackson Reffitt, cooperated with the FBI. The son spoke with CNN after learning of the president’s executive order.
"I’m just so filled with paranoia about what could happen," he said. "I’ve been waiting all day for a call from the DOJ."
In 2021, Jackson Reffitt told investigators his father said he’d be a traitor if he turned him in and that "traitors get shot."
However, other family members believed Guy Reffitt was not a threat and said something he did not mean.
By the numbers:
Roughly 1,500 participants in total were pardoned. And for 300 others awaiting trial, their cases have been dismissed.
Of the 1,500, more than 1.000 pleaded guilty and 250 were convicted after trial. Only two alleged rioters were acquitted of all charges by judges after bench trials. No jury has fully acquitted a defendant.
What they're saying:
"I thought their sentences were ridiculous and excessive," said Trump. "These were people that actually loved our country. So we thought a pardon would be appropriate."
"The effects of these pardons is literally a ‘get out of jail free card.' It clears the decks. The prosecutions no longer there. The convictions no longer there. A person’s free to go about their business without that conviction hanging around the neck anymore. And a lot of people have received the benefit of that this month really more than in our nation’s history," said David Coale, a constitutional law attorney.

"Our constitution was drafted by our founders in response to their experience under the English government. But they kept a couple of features of the English government, and one of those was the idea of a pardon. The crown, the king of England could just let somebody go."
Biden's Pre-emptive Pardons
President Trump’s pardon came the same day outgoing President Joe Biden pre-emptively pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, Retired General Mark Milley and the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack.
Mr. Biden afforded the same pardon protection to members of his own family, none of whom have been charged or convicted of any crime
"I don't think this is very healthy because the pardons by both Biden and Trump are steeped in personal and political interests. In the case of Mr. Trump, these are people that supported him so strongly that they engaged in violent acts on January 6," said Coale.
"And in the case of Mr. Biden going out the door, the use of the pardon for your family members is something we haven't really seen much of historically. And that kind of pardon to people who the president has a direct interest in either because they are friends or family or political ally is something that's a little new. It's a little different, and it does make the pardon power a lot more mainstream."
Big picture view:
The January 6 prosecution was the largest case in the U.S. Justice Department's history.
The overturning of those prosecutions was the first step in the president's promised overhaul of the Justice Department itself.
Featured
Former President Joe Biden pardons his family during final minutes in office
President Joe Biden on Monday pardoned James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W.
The Source: Information in this article comes from national new coverage and constitution law attorney David Coale.