In a surprising legal move, the District of Columbia has dropped its lawsuit against the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, groups accused of playing key roles in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The lawsuit, filed in December 2021, aimed to hold these groups financially accountable for the chaos and violence of that day.
But now, the city’s Attorney General’s Office (OAG) is walking away, citing the low chances of actually recovering damages and the need to focus legal efforts elsewhere.
Why Was the Lawsuit Dropped?
D.C. Attorney General’s Office lawyer Brendan Downes explained that even if the case won, getting money from these groups would be nearly impossible. With several Proud Boys and Oath Keepers already convicted and facing long prison sentences, there’s little left to take—and the city’s legal team believes it wouldn’t be worth the effort.
“Given the financial realities, continuing this case doesn’t make sense,” Downes said. Instead, D.C. wants to focus resources on other legal battles that have a better shot at success.
What Was the Lawsuit About?
Filed by former D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine, the lawsuit used the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, a law originally passed to stop white supremacist violence after the Civil War. It accused the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers of conspiring to attack the government and terrorize the District.
The goal was to force these groups to pay for the damages they caused during the riot—everything from destroyed property to injured police officers.
What Happened to the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers?
Many leaders and members of these groups were convicted and sentenced in connection to January 6:
- Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, was convicted of seditious conspiracy in 2022.
- Enrique Tarrio, former Proud Boys leader, was also convicted of seditious conspiracy in 2023.
- Dozens of other members were found guilty of serious charges, from assaulting police officers to obstructing Congress.
However, in a controversial move, President Donald Trump issued unconditional pardons for several key figures in January 2025, while others had their sentences commuted or reduced. Some are now appealing their convictions.
Does This Mean They’re Off the Hook?
Not necessarily. While D.C. is backing down, another lawsuit—filed by seven Capitol Police officers who were injured in the attack—is still ongoing.
But the judge in that case, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, has questioned whether the plaintiffs can prove that the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers specifically planned to harm police officers.
For now, it seems the legal spotlight on these groups is dimming—but their role in the January 6 attack remains part of history.
What Happens Next?
- The Supreme Court is set to hear appeals from some convicted members.
- D.C. will redirect its legal resources to cases it sees as more winnable.
- The Capitol Police lawsuit could still move forward, depending on the judge’s ruling.