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Future Star Alert: Candace Parker’s Daughter Lailaa Williams Joins UC San Diego Volleyball Team!

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Future Star Alert: Candace Parker’s Daughter Lailaa Williams Joins UC San Diego Volleyball Team!

Lailaa Williams has officially announced her commitment to join the Division I volleyball team at the University of California, San Diego.

Lailaa, the daughter of renowned athletes Candace Parker and Shelden Williams, broke the news on Instagram last week, expressing that this decision marks the culmination of years of dedication and effort.

“I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be playing D1 volleyball and pursuing my education at UC San Diego as a Triton!” she wrote, conveying her excitement.

She added, “Achieving this dream has been a long-term goal, and I owe it to so many people. A heartfelt thank you to my family for their unwavering support and encouragement, even during challenging times.”

Candace Parker followed up with an Instagram post of her own, featuring a photo of Lailaa proudly wearing UC San Diego volleyball attire, flanked by Parker and her wife, Anna Petrakova.

“To say I’m proud is an understatement……Lailaa is committing to play volleyball at the University of California San Diego!” Parker wrote. “I’ve seen the work, the commitment and the process and that’s what makes me the most proud of who and what you are.”

Shelden Williams also took to his Instagram page to share a congratulatory mesage to his daughter.

“I can hardly put into words just how proud I am of you as you embark on this incredible journey to play volleyball at UC San Diego!! Your commitment, hard work, and determination to reach this milestone are truly inspiring,” he wrote.

He said he recognized Lailaa’s potential early on and described watching her growth as one of the greatest joys of his life.

“From the moment you first picked up a volleyball, I didn’t know much about the sport but knew you had a special spark. Watching you grow from a little girl into the remarkable young woman you are today has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”

He ended his message by saying, “As you step onto that court, remember that you carry all my love and support. I believe in you wholeheartedly and can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll accomplish.”

Lailaa plays middle blocker at Campbell Hall in North Hollywood and is set to graduate in 2027.

 

 

Clavicular Admitted to Hospital Following Suspected Overdose Incident

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Clavicular Admitted to Hospital Following Suspected Overdose Incident

Social media influencer Clavicular has been admitted to the hospital following a suspected overdose incident that abruptly halted his livestream.

Known within the ‘looksmaxxing’ community, Clavicular was visibly struggling during the livestream, displaying slurred speech and clutching his head as those around him tried to assist.

Emergency services were alerted at approximately 8:45 PM ET on Tuesday, reporting a 20-year-old male experiencing an overdose on South Miami Avenue, Miami. Clavicular, whose real name is Braden Eric Peters, matches this description.

TMZ broke the news that Peters may have overdosed and is currently under medical care in a hospital.

The incident unfolded during a livestream on the platform Kick, where Clavicular and two companions were seated in a bar booth. At one point, a friend inquired, “How messed up are you?”

Clavicular responded by laughing and saying a few unintelligible phrases. A glass of water was placed in front of him before he appeared to slump over.

His friend asked him if he wanted an Addy, short for Adderall, three times before Clavicular appeared to slump over on the table in front of him. Shortly after that, the livestream cut out.

Videos circulated on social media appear to show a limp Clavicular being carried out to an ambulance by two men.

Clavicular (right), real name Braden Eric Peters, is seen on Tuesday evening's livestream at a bar in Miami. Moments after this, he slumped over on the table

Clavicular (right), real name Braden Eric Peters, is seen on Tuesday evening’s livestream at a bar in Miami. Moments after this, he slumped over on the table

20-year-old Clavicular is known online for his 'looksmaxxing' content, urging young men to upgrade their looks through extreme and controversial methods such as facial 'bone smashing' and steroid use

20-year-old Clavicular is known online for his ‘looksmaxxing’ content, urging young men to upgrade their looks through extreme and controversial methods such as facial ‘bone smashing’ and steroid use

There have been rumors that Clavicular uses methamphetamine to suppress his appetite and achieve his desired body proportions.

Clavicular is known online for his ‘looksmaxxing’ content, urging young men to upgrade their looks through extreme and controversial methods such as facial ‘bone smashing’, which he claims makes the bones heal stronger after they’re broken.

He also advocates for steroid use, admitting that he has taken testoterone since he was 14.

He believes being attractive is crucial to a man’s success, especially in getting attention from women.

This philosophy from the looksmaxxing community overlaps with beliefs espoused by incels, or involuntary celibates. These are men who have strong animosity toward women because they can’t find someone who wants to have sex with them.

In a recent interview on 60 Minutes Australia, Clavicular was asked about what incels had in common with his looksmaxxers and got defensive.

‘I’m not linked to that group in any way,’ Peters said of incels. ‘Looksmaxxing is self-improvement, right? So it’s about potentially ascending out of that category and so that would be one of the goals is to disassociate from being an incel and overcome that.’

The interviewer then asked him about his relationship with Andrew Tate, a social media personality who is under criminal investigation in the United Kingdom and Romania for allegedly running human trafficking operation.

Pictured: Clavicular during the contentious 60 Minutes Australia interview

Pictured: Clavicular during the contentious 60 Minutes Australia interview

Pictured: Clavicular with Andrew Tate in January. Tate is is under criminal investigation in the United Kingdom and Romania for allegedly running human trafficking operation

Pictured: Clavicular with Andrew Tate in January. Tate is is under criminal investigation in the United Kingdom and Romania for allegedly running human trafficking operation

Clavicular was arrested on March 26 near Fort Lauderdale, Florida on misdemeanor assault charges

Clavicular was arrested on March 26 near Fort Lauderdale, Florida on misdemeanor assault charges

Clavicular was spotted at a nightclub in Miami with Tate and white nationalist commentator Nick Fuentes in January. 

‘You’ve obviously shared company with Andrew Tate and other, dare I say, rather controversial figures,’ the interviewer said. ‘Why do you spend time with people like that?’

Clavicular immediately disengaged, saying ‘all right, have a nice day’ before standing up and walking off.

On March 26, Clavicular was arrested in connection to a misdemeanor assault. Reporter Taylor Lorenz was the first to confirm this, saying that the arrest near Fort Lauderdale stemmed from an Osceola County Sheriff’s Office warrant from March 9.

Lorenz speculated the charge may be connected to a physical altercation involving his girlfriend, known as Violet, and influencer Jenny Popach. 

The altercation between Violet and Popach unfolded during a Kick livestream earlier this year that racked up hundreds of thousands of views online, with the pair seen hitting and pulling each other’s hair inside a house before being separated. 

Clavicular was taken into custody after he was filmed unloading a gun on a dead alligator in a Florida Everglades swamp. His arrest had nothing to do with this video.

Rihanna Among Major Stars Rumored for Surprise Coachella Appearance

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Rihanna Among Major Stars Rumored for Surprise Coachella Appearance

The 25th Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival launched in style, drawing celebrities, social media stars, and music lovers to the desert for a spectacular kickoff. The opening weekend featured performances by headline acts Sabrina Carpenter and Justin Bieber, with a surprise cameo from Jennifer Lopez adding to the excitement.

As the second weekend approaches, speculation is rife about which major stars might make unexpected appearances. Names like Rihanna and Bad Bunny are being floated as potential surprise guests. Meanwhile, fans are buzzing over both the musical performances and celebrity sightings that dominated discussions from the first weekend.

Justin Bieber backlash, Travis Barker’s guest appearance, and the Kardashian clan spotted

One standout moment from the festival’s initial weekend was Clipse’s performance, which saw Kourtney Kardashian’s husband, Travis Barker, joining them on drums for their first four tracks, including “Chains and Whips,” “POV,” “Popular Demand (Popeyes),” and “Inglorious Bastards.”

The Kardashian-Jenner clan made waves too, with Kourtney, Kim accompanied by her partner Lewis Hamilton and daughter North West, and Kendall Jenner all attending. Kendall’s appearance sparked rumors of a possible romance with Euphoria star Jacob Elordi after the pair were seen getting close at Justin Bieber’s after-party.

Justin Bieber emerged as one of the most talked-about performers, sparking mixed reactions. While many fans enjoyed his nostalgic set featuring hits like “Baby” and “Never Say Never,” others were less impressed as Bieber opted to sing along to YouTube videos of his songs instead of delivering a live vocal performance.

A number of fans sounded off about that on social media. And fellow pop star, Katy Perry, who watched Bieber’s YouTube-heavy performance joked, “Thank God he has premium. I don’t wanna see no ads.”

Rihanna and other stars rumored to appear this weekend

So who could show up at California’s largest music festival this weekend?

Among the names rumored for last-minute cameos are SZA, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Bad Bunny, Ice Spice, Doja Cat, and Rihanna. According to Betway odds, “SZA currently leads the market at 3/1, closely followed by Kendrick Lamar at 7/2. Meanwhile, Travis Scott sits at 4/1, with Bad Bunny and Ice Spice both priced at 5/1. Doja Cat follows at 6/1, while Rihanna remains a contender at 20/1.”

The “Diamonds” hitmaker hasn’t performed live in years, but fans are hopeful that Coachella could mark her long-awaited return.

Speaking on the latest markets, Betway’s Lewis Knowles told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “Coachella is always full of surprises, and this year is no different with a strong lineup of potential guest appearances. SZA currently leads the betting, but with names like Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott also in the mix, it’s shaping up to be an unpredictable weekend. While Rihanna sits further down the odds, fans will be hoping for a major moment should she take to the stage.”

Tragic Incident at Walmart: Woman Attacks Child with Knife, Fatally Shot by Police

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Tragic Incident at Walmart: Woman Attacks Child with Knife, Fatally Shot by Police

Authorities in Omaha, Nebraska, reported that police officers were compelled to fatally shoot a woman accused of abducting and injuring a young boy with a knife at a Walmart. This information was provided by Deputy Chief Scott Gray.

On Tuesday, law enforcement in Omaha responded to a distressing incident where a woman allegedly attacked a toddler with a knife after forcibly taking him from another shopper inside a Walmart store.

According to Deputy Chief Scott Gray, the woman approached a female customer accompanied by a boy aged 2 or 3, brandishing a large kitchen knife. She then seized the child, effectively carrying out a kidnapping.

The woman instructed the boy’s guardian to move ahead of the shopping cart while she followed closely, holding the child at knifepoint, Gray explained. The group exited the Walmart, heading down a driveway, where a heated exchange ensued between the two women until police officers arrived.

Responding to an emergency call, officers reached the Walmart located at 1606 S. 72nd St. and issued commands to the suspect. At that moment, she began slashing at the young boy, injuring his face, Gray recounted.

Two officers fired at the suspect, and she died at the scene, police said.

Body-worn camera images police released show the woman raising a knife over the young boy sitting in a shopping cart as the officer aims a gun at her.

After the shooting, the child’s guardian and a bystander removed the child from the cart and rendered aid. The child was being treated at a hospital for a large laceration across the left side of his face and to a hand, Gray said. He is expected to survive.

It’s unclear what provoked the suspect. Gray said the two women did not know each other. The relationship between the boy and his caretaker wasn’t clear.

Police identified the suspect as 31-year-old Noemi Guzman.

Investigators determined through store surveillance video that Guzman shoplifted the knife from inside the store, then approached the woman and child in a shopping aisle and brandished the knife.

The event appears to be an isolated incident, Gray said. The Walmart was largely empty as police continued their investigation, he said.

The actions inside the store wouldn’t necessarily have drawn attention from other shoppers, he said.

“They kind of just purposely but casually walk out of the store, so I don’t think anybody was actually looking at them as being a suspect of anything,” Gray said.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Unveiling the Golden Apple: Jillyann Beasley’s Inspiring Journey to Excellence

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Unveiling the Golden Apple: Jillyann Beasley’s Inspiring Journey to Excellence


AUGUSTA, Ga ()
Jillyann Beasley is not one to stick to the script when it comes to teaching. Her approach to U.S. History and A.P. American Government classes is anything but ordinary.

“Teaching requires a lot of interactive experiences,” Beasley explains. “History becomes dull if you aren’t engaging with it directly. So, when we reach certain historical periods, I bring in artifacts from my personal collection, like my grandmother’s 1956 driver’s license or my father’s 1975 car purchase documents. In my government class, I make it relevant by having students interact with government officials.”

This dynamic method is clearly effective. According to Mrs. Beasley, her students are increasingly aware of current events.

“They’ve been particularly attentive to recent developments, like the student absenteeism bill and the cell phone legislation coming out of Georgia. They’re not just observing; they’re forming opinions and expressing how these issues affect them.”

Her influence extends beyond the classroom, as some of her former students have pursued careers in education. “Several have returned to share that they are currently in education programs, either student-teaching or already employed in teaching positions,” she notes.

Some of Mrs. Beasley’s former students have followed in her footsteps to become teachers.

“The excitement for me is when they do choose, whether it’s going to work or going to college, and getting to become citizens. And actually putting what we’ve done in class into use out in the real world.”
,

Congratulations Jillyann Beasley. A dedicated teacher who gets to reap the rewards of her hard work every day.

“Light bulb moments are exciting to watch,” she says. “The a-ha moments when they finally get it. When they realize how well they did on parts of their tests. Former students coming back. I had one student come back yesterday who I was talking to, who I taught in 2018. So, it’s all combined altogether that’s really rewarding and exciting.”

Champaign City Council Discusses Grant Initiative to Enhance Downtown Revitalization

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Champaign City Council Discusses Grant Initiative to Enhance Downtown Revitalization


CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a move to breathe new life into its downtown area, the Champaign City Council is considering a novel proposal called the “Downtown Refresh.” This initiative is designed to lure both people and businesses back to the heart of the city with the help of a competitive reimbursement grant program.

As outlined by Dan Saphiere, an Associate City Planner, the recent surge in construction costs has posed significant challenges for local businesses. Simultaneously, downtown has witnessed a decline in food and beverage sales, compounding the difficulties faced by the community.

Experienced Driver with Extensive Traffic Record Involved in Collision with Librarian

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Experienced Driver with Extensive Traffic Record Involved in Collision with Librarian

Background: William Braddy appears in court in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, in April 2026 (WRAL/YouTube). Inset: Carolyn Hyde (Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service).

A North Carolina man has received his sentencing after a tragic incident involving impaired driving led to the death of a woman. William Braddy will serve approximately eight years in prison following a plea deal related to the death of 69-year-old Carolyn Robbins Hyde, according to court records accessed by Law&Crime. The agreement saw Braddy plead guilty to charges of felony death by vehicle and felony possession of cocaine.

The incident occurred on May 8, 2024, when Braddy, whose age has not been disclosed, was driving along Highway 258 in Edgecombe County, located in the northeastern region of North Carolina. Under the influence, Braddy veered across the center lane, resulting in a head-on collision with Hyde, as reported by WRAL, an NBC affiliate in the area.

Tragically, Hyde did not survive the crash. This week, her grieving family members were present in court to witness Braddy’s sentencing.

Rick Hutchinson, Hyde’s son, expressed the family’s hope that the sentence would prevent future tragedies. “I’m just hoping that my mom’s death was the last sacrifice to keep this guy in prison,” Hutchinson shared with the local news outlet. “And so hopefully her sacrifice won’t be for nothing.”

“I”m just hoping that my mom’s death was the last sacrifice to keep this guy in prison,” Rick Hutchinson, Hyde’s son, told the local outlet. “And so hopefully her sacrifice won’t be for nothing.”

Braddy reportedly had an extensive history of traffic violations stretching back nearly 30 years before he drove into Hyde. That history included multiple DWIs, charges of reckless driving, and speeding violations.

One of those instances was in September 2023, when authorities said Braddy was also driving on Highway 258 and hit a man. He was charged with crossing the center line and having fictitious identification.

Edgecombe County District Attorney Jeffrey Marsigli told WRAL in response to questions about why Braddy was still on the road in May 2024 that cases are frequently dismissed after violations are fixed, and reckless driving charges often don’t lead to prison time.

For the May 2024 incident, Braddy was given credit for 700 days of time served. His faced a maximum prison sentence of 11 years.

Hyde is remembered in her obituary as having been born in the area. Before she “died unexpectedly,” she was working part time at an area library.

Crucial Verdict Looms in High-Stakes Hancock Mining Fortune Dispute

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Crucial Verdict Looms in High-Stakes Hancock Mining Fortune Dispute
Judgment day has arrived in a bitter multibillion-dollar legal stoush that forced Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart, to defend her iron ore empire.

The legal clash embroiled Rinehart’s business, Hancock Prospecting, in a fierce dispute with the descendants of mining trailblazer Peter Wright and engineer Don Rhodes. At the heart of this conflict were allegations of breaches tied to contracts from decades past.

The parties were vying for the lucrative rewards from the expansive Hope Downs mining operation, managed by Rio Tinto in Western Australia. A critical court decision was expected to be delivered today.

Gina Rinehart
A long-running court battle over mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s iron ore empire is expected to reach its conclusion today. (Getty)

Wright Prospecting pursued claims for both mined and untapped reserves at Hope Downs, asserting that Hancock Prospecting violated a partnership agreement established in the 1980s.

DFD Rhodes sought a portion of the royalties from Hope Downs’ output, based on an alleged arrangement from the 1960s involving Lang Hancock, Rinehart’s father, and Wright, which involved the transfer of certain tenements.

The contentious battle also drew in Rinehart’s eldest offspring, John Hancock and Bianca Rinehart, who contended that their grandfather had bequeathed them a substantial interest in the valuable Pilbara mining discoveries he made in the 1950s.

Mining giant Rio Tinto, as the joint venture partner in Hope Downs, was also a party in the Supreme Court battle and could be on the hook financially depending on which way the judgment swings.

The 51-day trial featured sensational allegations against Rinehart – which have been vehemently denied – including that she devised an unlawful scheme to defraud her children.

Bianca Rinehart and John Hancock arrive at the WA Supreme Court flanked by lawyers during a 2023 hearing. (Photo: Trevor Collens) (Australian Financial Review)

About two dozen of the “smartest legal minds” in the country, costing an estimated $250,000 a day, packed a Perth courtroom for hearing that ended in December 2023.

At the time, Justice Jennifer Smith said the case would “turn upon an assessment of the large volume of historical documents”.

Rinehart inherited her father’s iron ore discovery in the Pilbara region and forged a mining empire after he died in 1992.

She developed mines from tenements at Hope Downs, signing a deal in 2005 with Rio Tinto, which has a 50 per cent stake in the project.

The Hope Downs mining complex near Newman is one of Australia’s largest and most successful iron ore projects, with multiple open-pit mines.

Rinehart’s wealth is estimated to be about $40 billion and she is the executive chair of Hancock Prospecting.

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Jon Stewart Identifies Striking Similarity in AI-Generated ‘Jesus’ Meme Featuring Donald Trump

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Jon Stewart Identifies Striking Similarity in AI-Generated ‘Jesus’ Meme Featuring Donald Trump

During a segment on the Daily Show this week, Jon Stewart drew attention to a peculiar aspect of an AI-generated image that former President Donald Trump had shared, likening himself to Christ.

The controversial image, which has since been removed from Trump’s social media accounts, portrays Trump with a radiant hand extended over an elderly man lying in a bed.

Stewart humorously pointed out that the ailing figure in the image bore a striking resemblance to himself.

“Oh my God. Wait, the guy in the bed—can I just…” Stewart exclaimed, pausing his broadcast on Monday to highlight the uncanny comparison.

After examining the image closely, he quipped, “Am I okay?” while playfully tilting his head for a better view, adding a comedic twist to the situation.

Once satisfied – or sufficiently horrified – Stewart, 63, let out a swift ‘What the f*ck.’

The comic went on to admit that he is indeed aging and may lack the ‘the vigor and spunk’ of his ‘MTV days.’

‘But I didn’t know we were here already,’ Stewart said, acknowledging the AI generated man’s plight.

‘It looks like it was touch and go for a while. Thank God, in my time of need, I was surrounded by family,’ Stewart joked. He expressed relief ‘that Jesus-Trump brought his healing orb’ for the AI-generated occasion.

Jon Stewart stopped Monday's Daily Show to study a particular aspect of he AI-generated image Donald Trump posted and deleted on Sunday

Jon Stewart stopped Monday’s Daily Show to study a particular aspect of he AI-generated image Donald Trump posted and deleted on Sunday

Trump, 79, said the post - which he deleted - was meant to depict him as a doctor

Trump, 79, said the post – which he deleted – was meant to depict him as a doctor

‘I didn’t realize my look had reached leper territory,’ Stewart further joked.

The other principal of the AI-artwork, ‘Trump-Jesus’, as Stewart put it – is seen healing the other man in the image as orbs of light emanate from his hands. 

The piece was posted by the president late Sunday night before being swiftly deleted.

Still, the post was immediately met with pushback. Trump told critics from both sides of the aisle it was meant to depict him ‘as a doctor.’ 

He admitted Monday that he published the post, but did not specify why it was deleted. 

Stewart’s riff was preceded by a recap of Trump’s ongoing criticism of the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV.

The comic recalled how Trump on Sunday said he sees the religious leader as too liberal and ‘weak on crime’ for the position.

‘I am really starting to sour on this president,’ Stewart joked. He went on to make a quip that knocked the administration’s handling of the so-called ‘Epstein files.’

Stewart, however, was more interested in the other AI-generated man in the image - which his admitted was his de facto doppelganger

Stewart, however, was more interested in the other AI-generated man in the image – which his admitted was his de facto doppelganger 

‘That’s you as a doctor? Why don’t you own it, you big puss bag?” Stewart joked further, highlighting Trump’s excuse.

‘Do you even care about lying to us any more? Is it over? Has this relationship gone stale? 

‘Your lies used to have a real spark,’ he continued, rattling off a series of Trump soundbites.

‘”They’re eating the cats and dogs,” “Venezuela stole the 2020 election.” And now the best you’ve got is: “Oh, it wasn’t Jesus. I’m a doctor,”‘ Stewart said.

‘You need to find your happy place, and fast. We expect better lies, sir.’

Christians already perturbed by Trump’s promise to wipe out Iran’s civilian infrastructure were left similarly skeptical of the president’s story.

The post comes weeks after Trump received heat for an AI-generated video he posted in February that depicted former first couple Barack and Michelle Obama both as apes. Trump blamed a staffer for the post at the time. 

Stewart, meanwhile, has long been a critic of the conservative commander-in-chief.  For his part, Stewart is a self-professed atheist.

Justice Department Seeks Dismissal of Seditious Conspiracy Charges Against Oath Keepers and Proud Boys

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Justice Department Seeks Dismissal of Seditious Conspiracy Charges Against Oath Keepers and Proud Boys


WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, the Justice Department made a significant move by requesting a federal appeals court to overturn the seditious conspiracy convictions of key figures from the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. These leaders had been sentenced to prison for orchestrating the attack on the U.S. Capitol, aimed at keeping former President Donald Trump in power over five years ago.

In a sweeping act of clemency last January, Trump had already commuted the sentences of numerous leaders from these far-right extremist groups. This pardon was part of a broader gesture towards the over 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, incident.

The Justice Department’s recent appeal seeks to completely nullify the convictions of these extremist group leaders, including Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, who was not included in Trump’s earlier pardons.

This unexpected move marks a stark reversal from the Biden administration’s previous stance. Initially, the administration had championed the convictions as a pivotal triumph in its quest to hold those accountable for what was described as an assault on the core of American democracy. The latest development appears to align with the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reshape the narrative of January 6, downplaying the violence that resulted in injuries to over 100 police officers.

In their court documents, prosecutors urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to overturn these convictions, allowing the government to permanently dismiss the indictments.

“The government’s motion to vacate in this case is consistent with its practice of moving the Supreme Court to vacate convictions in cases where the government has decided in its prosecutorial discretion that dismissal of a criminal case is in the interests of justice — motions that the Supreme Court routinely grants,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing signed by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

Juries in Washington, D.C., convicted the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders of orchestrating violent plots to stop the peaceful transfer of power after Trump’s 2020 election loss to Democratic President Joe Biden.

The department’s dismissal request also includes the convictions of Oath Keepers members Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson and Jessica Watkins and Proud Boys members Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Dominic Pezzola.

Other extremist group members, including former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio, received pardons from Trump on the first day of his second term in the White House.

Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison after he and several lieutenants were convicted in one of the most consequential cases arising from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters.

Prosecutors said Rhodes and his followers stockpiled guns for possible use by “quick reaction force” teams at a Virginia hotel, but they never deployed the weapons.

Nordean’s attorney, Nicholas Smith, said they are grateful to the Justice Department for its “wise decision” in seeking dismissal of the convictions.

“We don’t want a precedent that says that any physical confrontation between protesters and law enforcement means a crime akin to treason, such as seditious conspiracy,” Smith said.

Former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who was dragged into the mob and suffered a heart attack after a rioter shocked him with a stun gun, was disappointed but not surprised by the latest milestone in the dismantling of Capitol riot prosecutions.

“I would remind Americans that these were traitors to this country,” Fanone said. “They planned, incited and carried out an insurrection.”

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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