Key Takeaways:

• U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta bars Stewart Rhodes and Oath Keepers from entering Washington, D.C. without court permission following Trump's clemency.
• Rhodes was recently released after President Trump commuted his 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy related to the January 6 Capitol attack.
• The DOJ disagrees with the court's order, arguing that clemency removes the basis for the restrictions on Rhodes and his co-defendants.
• Rhodes has voiced defiance, insisting he bears no responsibility for the Capitol riot actions.
• This legal dispute highlights tensions between judicial decisions and the executive actions under Trump's administration.

Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right militia group Oath Keepers, has been barred by a federal judge from entering Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Capitol following his release from prison, an action that has ignited a legal battle with the Department of Justice (DOJ). U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta issued this ruling on Friday, underscoring the conditions under which Rhodes, alongside seven other convicted Oath Keepers, must operate after President Trump commuted their sentences following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, which sought to overturn the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

This prohibition comes as a response to Rhodes' recent visit to Capitol Hill shortly after his commutation. During this visit, he met with lawmakers and attempted to defend his actions during the insurrection. The judge's order clearly states that Rhodes, who was sentenced to 18 years for his key role in organizing the attack, is not allowed to set foot in the Capitol or surrounding areas without prior court approval.

However, the DOJ has contended that Rhodes and the other defendants should not be subject to such restrictions following the commutation of their sentences. Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Martin has argued in court filings that the terms of their supervised release are no longer applicable, effectively rendering the judge’s order moot. Rhodes, in interviews, has downplayed his involvement, stating, "I didn’t go into the Capitol. I didn’t tell anybody else to go inside," attempting to distance himself from the violence of that day.

This legal entanglement raises significant questions regarding the balance of judicial authority and executive clemency powers, particularly highlighted by the unprecedented scale of pardons issued by Trump for those involved in the Capitol riot. Critics, including various lawmakers, have condemned these clemencies, arguing that they undermine the rule of law.

As the DOJ seeks to overturn the judge's order, the situation remains fluid, with both legal battles and public sentiment continuing to evolve. The outcome will likely set a crucial precedent concerning the accountability of individuals involved in attempts to subvert democratic processes, as they navigate the aftermath of one of the most significant breaches of U.S. democratic norms in modern history.

For further details, refer to sources like USA Today, CBS News, and Newsweek.