Two prosecutors were placed on leave after calling Jan. 6 defendants "mob of rioters" in a sentencing memo.

Two federal prosecutors, Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White, were placed on administrative leave by the Justice Department after using the term "mob of rioters" in a sentencing memo for Taylor Taranto, a Jan. 6 defendant pardoned by former President Donald Trump. The memo described Taranto’s role in the Capitol attack and his 2023 bomb hoax and weapons charges, which remain unpardoned. The DOJ has not confirmed the reason for the leave, but the language reportedly prompted an internal review. U.S. Attorney Jeannie Pirro affirmed the office’s commitment to prosecuting threats against officials regardless of political affiliation. Taranto, identified in 2021 by online sleuths, is set to be sentenced and is likely to be released due to time served. Over 1,500 other Jan. 6 defendants have been pardoned by Trump, many of whom face additional charges.