The leaders of the Capitol riots, Tario and Rhodes, are released from prison

Former Proud Boys leader Henry “Enrique” Tario and Oath Keepers founder Stuart Rhodes have been released from prison after President Donald Trump freed more than 1,500 people charged in the US Capitol riot four years ago.

In less than 24 hours after Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of those who tried to forcefully overturn the 2020 election, the two most prominent leaders of the insurgency have left prison. Trump also dismissed charges against those accused, but not yet convicted, of the riot.

“My son, Enrique Tarrio, is now officially released!” Zuny Tarrio posted on X.

Rhodes, who was not pardoned but had his sentence commuted, is waiting in jail for the defendants to be released.

Rhodes, a former US Army paratrooper and Yale-educated lawyer, was accused of leading a contingent of Oath Keepers members to Washington.

Although Rhodes did not enter the Capitol, he led his members from the outside and was convicted in 2023. 18 years in prison.

Tario was found guilty of seditious conspiracy – a rarely used charge of plotting to overthrow the government – for the rebellion. He was not in Washington during the riots, but he led other participants.

He received a sentence of 22 years, one of the longest sentences.

Amid the pardons and commutations, Trump also signed an order ordering the Justice Department to drop all pending cases against suspects accused in the riot.

Lead counsel for these defendants, Edward R. Martin — was also named acting U.S. attorney for Washington, indicating the depth of Trump’s desire to end the years-long prosecution. The Washington office was responsible for handling cases related to January 6.

Democrats denounced the release of more than 1,000 people as an attempt to rewrite history and sanitize the violence of the insurgency, which led to many deaths.

Trump described the day as “peaceful” and the jailed rebels as “hostages.”