Justice Department Asks Judge To Jail Pardoned Jan. 6 Defendant After Return To D.C. Near Rep. Raskin

Justice Department Seeks Detention After Pardoned Jan. 6 Defendant Returns To Washington

The Justice Department asked a federal judge this week to immediately jail Taylor Taranto, a Jan. 6 defendant who was pardoned by former President Donald Trump, after he recently returned to Washington, D.C., and was seen roaming near the neighborhood of Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin. Prosecutors and police said his presence and recent behavior were alarming and raised concerns about potential threats.

Court Proceedings and Orders

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, who convicted Taranto earlier this year at a bench trial on counts related to a threat to federal buildings and for bringing weapons into the Kalorama neighborhood where former President Barack Obama lives, declined to immediately order detention. Nichols said he would consider the government’s detention request in the coming weeks, but for now ordered Taranto to return directly to his home in Washington state for the holidays and not to remain in the capital.

Why Authorities Are Concerned

Prosecutors described a pattern of alarming conduct, including renewed livestreaming, social media posts from sensitive locations, alleged violations of supervised release, and erratic behavior. Assistant U.S. Attorney Travis Wolf told the court that Taranto’s recent actions suggested he might be "on the path" to repeating the dangerous conduct that led to earlier charges and therefore urged immediate detention.

Prosecutors noted prior incidents that drew national attention: a 2023 livestreamed threat to blow up the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an episode in which Taranto entered a Maryland elementary school while making apparent threats to Rep. Raskin, and an arrest after police found him armed in the Kalorama neighborhood a day after an address was posted on social media. Taranto spent roughly two years in jail awaiting trial on those earlier allegations.

Supervised Release, Mental Health, And Probation Recommendations

Although Nichols convicted Taranto on the weapons and threats counts, the judge imposed supervised release rather than additional jail time earlier this year. Under those terms, Taranto must regularly check in with a probation officer. Probation officer Sean Stallman told the court he recommended against immediate incarceration and instead urged stricter monitoring of Taranto’s drug use and enforcement of psychiatric treatment requirements. Stallman also said Taranto had missed required check-ins and noted ongoing mental health concerns.

Taranto’s attorney, Carmen Hernández, asked for time to review the government’s claims and requested that Taranto be allowed to return to Washington state to spend the holidays with his wife and two children. After Taranto promised to drive back to Washington state by noon Friday, Judge Nichols allowed him to leave voluntarily but ordered that he not return to D.C. until at least after the new year.

Next Steps

Judge Nichols scheduled a probation hearing in Washington state for Dec. 10 and said he is "absolutely prepared" to incarcerate Taranto if any of his orders or conditions are violated. The judge indicated he will make a decision on the government’s detention request after reviewing additional information in the coming weeks.

Key names: Defendant Taylor Taranto; Judge Carl Nichols; Assistant U.S. Attorney Travis Wolf; Defense attorney Carmen Hernández; Probation officer Sean Stallman.