Two federal prosecutors—Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White—have been placed on leave by the Department of Justice after describing January 6 for what it was: a “mob of rioters” who stormed the U.S. Capitol in an effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Their crime?

Telling the truth in a court filing about the violent actions of Taylor Taranto, a defendant with ties to the January 6 insurrection and a separate 2023 incident involving weapons near President Obama’s home.

There is no credible legal or ethical basis for their suspension. Their statements were factual, widely documented, and consistent with the DOJ’s own public position for years.

This isn’t just about two prosecutors—it’s about the independence of the Justice Department and the right of federal attorneys to present facts in the pursuit of justice without fear of political retribution.

We call on:

• Attorney General and DOJ leadership to immediately reinstate Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White
• Congressional oversight committees to investigate whether this suspension was politically motivated
• The Office of Special Counsel to ensure that federal employees are protected from retaliation for lawful, protected speech in the execution of their duties
   

The DOJ’s duty is to the Constitution, not to political power. Punishing prosecutors for calling January 6 a “riot” is a dangerous step toward rewriting history—and silencing those who enforce the law.

Sign this petition to demand the immediate reinstatement of Valdivia and White—and to defend the integrity of the U.S. justice system.

Photo: Brent Stirton / Getty Images file