• A federal judge has barred Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, from entering Washington, D.C. or the U.S. Capitol without court approval.
• The judge's order follows President Trump's commutation of Rhodes' 18-year sentence for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack.
• Rhodes, spotted at the Capitol shortly after his release, has claimed to exert no responsibility for the violence.
• The Justice Department is contesting the judge's authority to impose these restrictions after the commutation.
• Rhodes attended a Trump rally in Las Vegas after his release, continuing to support the former president.

A federal judge has issued an order preventing Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers militia, from entering Washington D.C. or accessing the U.S. Capitol without prior court permission. This ruling comes in the wake of President Donald Trump commuting Rhodes' 18-year prison sentence related to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta's decision was made just days after Rhodes was spotted at the Capitol, meeting lawmakers and defending his actions during the riot. The judge's order also applies to seven other members of the Oath Keepers convicted in connection with the events of that day, restricting their movements within the capital and at the Capitol complex.

Following his release from prison, Rhodes was seen at a Trump rally in Las Vegas, indicating his continued alignment with the former president despite the legal troubles he faces. Trump had launched a large-scale pardon initiative on his first day back in office, commuting sentences and pardoning numerous individuals linked to the Capitol riot. Rhodes argued that he did not regret his actions, instead blaming police for instigating the violence.

The Department of Justice opposed Judge Mehta's order, asserting that due to the commutation, Rhodes and his co-defendants are no longer under terms of supervised release, and thus, the judge’s restrictions should not apply. The Justice Department argues that as their sentences have been commuted, they should be treated similarly to any other citizen, free to enter the capital without court limitations. This legal battle raises critical questions surrounding the implications of presidential clemency and judicial authority in maintaining public safety following a charged political incident like January 6th.

As this contentious political saga continues, it remains uncertain how these developments will impact security and accountability related to the Capitol attack. Stewart Rhodes, in previous statements, has downplayed his role in the events of January 6, claiming he only sought to provide security at lawful events.

For further details, refer to the original articles from Newsweek, The Hill, and AP News.