Greg Rosen, the former chief of the Capitol Siege Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, has openly criticized President Donald Trump’s mass pardoning of Jan. 6 rioters and the targeting of career law enforcement officials involved in the prosecution of the Capitol attack.
In an interview following his recent resignation, Rosen described the Justice Department’s handling of Jan. 6 cases as appropriate, proportional, and righteous. He highlighted that many defendants convicted of misdemeanors had received probation, disputing claims that they were inadequately treated or mistreated.
“The concept that these defendants were railroaded or mistreated is belied by the actual facts,” Rosen stated. He emphasized that every case underwent rigorous scrutiny and afforded maximal due process protected by the U.S. Constitution.
According to Rosen, judges appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents adjudicated these cases fairly. He asserted that the historical record established by the prosecutions reveals the truth, countering speculation and conjecture by some.
Rosen’s career at the Justice Department spanned over a decade, culminating in his role overseeing the investigations into the events of January 6. After Trump’s inauguration, Rosen’s unit was shut down. Trump subsequently pardoned around 1,500 individuals and commuted the sentences of high-profile rioters, including members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
Rosen criticized these pardons, stating they send a troubling message to the public. “The underlying message of the pardons is that political violence is acceptable, particularly if it’s done for a specific purpose,” he remarked. He referred to this philosophy as “the brain rot of the republic,” echoing Benjamin Franklin’s warning about maintaining a republic.
In response to Rosen’s comments, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields defended Trump’s use of pardons. Fields asserted Trump was acting within his constitutional powers to rectify wrongs, mentioning Joe Biden’s recent pardons, including those connected to his son, Hunter Biden.
Rosen, who left the Justice Department last week, is set to join a private law firm amid a tumultuous period for the Capitol riot prosecution team. Many colleagues faced firings and demotions under the leadership of the former interim U.S. attorney for Washington, Ed Martin, who Trump appointed as pardon attorney.
During the interview, Rosen expressed shock at discussions surrounding potential settlements between Trump’s administration and the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was killed during the Capitol riot. He noted that such settlements lacked evidentiary support.
He contended that claims asserting Jan. 6 defendants were victims of weaponized law enforcement do not align with the facts. He insisted that accountability for the rioters began during Trump’s final days in office when he promised that those involved would face justice.
Rosen articulated the importance of viewing the events of January 6 from a nonpartisan perspective, asserting that a crime occurred and was thoroughly investigated. The charges brought were carefully vetted both by the Justice Department and by the courts.
He expressed concern that the retaliatory actions taken against federal employees involved in Jan. 6 prosecutions have hampered the administration’s ability to manage similar cases effectively.
“The irony is that every single one of those prosecutors, the ones who were fired or demoted, were individuals who would have otherwise served the community and prevented violent crime in a manner consistent with any administration’s priorities,” Rosen explained.
Rosen highlighted the unfortunate message being sent that political retribution could affect the careers of those committed to upholding the rule of law.
“This is not a circumstance where we are deep state actors. We are just trying to do our jobs,” he asserted.
As he transitions to a new role at Rogers Joseph O’Donnell, a boutique litigation firm, Rosen expressed concern that lawyers across the country could feel pressured to act in accordance with political whims, impacting their ability to serve their clients effectively.
He remarked, “Law firms should be able to represent their clients zealously, without influence from the presidency. There can be a chilling effect that might undermine the rule of law and lawyers’ constitutional duties.”
Rosen hopes that the record established by the Jan. 6 prosecutions will shape future perceptions of the attack, despite ongoing attempts to downplay its significance.
“What I hope the takeaway is that January 6 was a national disgrace, and the prosecution reaffirmed the principles of the rule of law while honoring the rights and bravery of law enforcement,” he concluded.
His views reflect a commitment to judicial integrity and accountability, as he noted, “I would not change a thing about how we conducted ourselves, nor the honor we brought to the court and the system.”
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