Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far-right militia group Oath Keepers, made a high-profile appearance at President Donald Trump’s rally in Las Vegas on Saturday, just days after his prison sentence was commuted. Rhodes, who was serving an 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, was released from federal custody on Tuesday following Trump’s sweeping pardons and commutations for January 6 defendants.
Rhodes was photographed among dozens of Trump supporters standing behind the president during his speech at the Circa Resort and Casino. Trump used the rally to highlight his first week back in office and announced plans to push legislation eliminating taxes on tips, a move aimed at courting service industry workers.
Rhodes’ presence at the rally marks a striking moment in U.S. politics, as the Oath Keepers founder, once a symbol of the Capitol attack’s violent aftermath, is now openly embraced within Trump’s political orbit. Rhodes was among the most prominent individuals convicted in connection to January 6, receiving the second-longest sentence of any defendant.
Trump’s decision to pardon over 1,500 individuals and commute the sentences of Rhodes and 13 other members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys has reignited debates over justice and accountability. Critics argue that Trump’s actions undermine the rule of law and send a troubling message about accountability for political violence.
Defending his decisions, Trump said, “I thought their sentences were ridiculous and excessive,” adding that the January 6 defendants were treated worse than “murderers” by the justice system. Trump has long characterized these individuals as patriots unfairly targeted for political reasons.
Rhodes’ release comes with conditions, as U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta ordered him to stay away from the Capitol. However, the Justice Department, now under Trump’s leadership, has objected to the judge’s authority to impose such restrictions.
The commutation of Rhodes’ sentence and the broader pardons have sparked sharp criticism from legal experts, lawmakers, and civil rights advocates. They argue that the pardons reward individuals who seek to undermine democratic processes, potentially encouraging future acts of political violence.
Democratic leaders have condemned Trump’s actions as a dangerous precedent. “This is a blatant abuse of presidential power,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who served as the lead impeachment manager during Trump’s second impeachment trial. “These individuals were convicted of trying to overturn the results of a free and fair election. By pardoning them, Trump is essentially condoning their actions.”
Supporters at the rally, however, cheered Trump’s remarks about the January 6 defendants and applauded his defense of Rhodes and others. Alice Manning, a rally attendee, said, “These people stood up for what they believed in. President Trump is right to bring them back into the fold.”
Rhodes’ appearance at the rally further underscores the alignment between Trump’s political movement and far-right groups. While some Republican lawmakers have distanced themselves from figures like Rhodes, Trump’s embrace of these individuals suggests that his 2024 campaign strategy will lean heavily on energizing his most fervent supporters.
The rally also served as a reminder of the deep divisions within American politics, with Trump’s actions drawing both staunch support and fierce criticism. As Trump’s administration begins its second term, the implications of his pardons and commutations are likely to reverberate far beyond the political arena, raising questions about accountability, justice, and the future of democratic norms in the United States.
