Greg Rosen, the former head of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Capitol Siege Section, has resigned in protest over President Donald Trump’s sweeping pardons of January 6 rioters. In a sharp rebuke of the administration’s actions, Greg Rosen said the clemency granted to more than 1,500 individuals involved in the 2021 Capitol attack undermines the rule of law and delivers a dangerous message of impunity. The move has intensified ongoing debates about accountability, justice, and the future of political violence in America.
Resignation Over Principle:Greg Rosen Steps Down After Trump Pardons
Greg Rosen announced his resignation this week, citing what he called an “irreconcilable breach” with President Trump’s decision to pardon or commute the sentences of more than 1,500 individuals prosecuted for their roles in the January 6 Capitol attack. As the chief architect behind the DOJ’s Capitol Siege Section,Greg Rosen oversaw more than 1,000 prosecutions and had been widely respected for his leadership and legal rigor.
In a statement shared with opitanglobamedia News, Greg Rosen condemned the pardons as sending “a terrible message” that risks emboldening future acts of political violence. He expressed deep concern that the clemency lacked any criteria for oversight, remorse, or rehabilitation and dismissed any notion that the prosecutions were politically motivated. “This wasn’t about politics,” he emphasized. “This was about the rule of law.”
“An Affront to Justice”: Criticism of DOJ Restructuring Under Trump
In addition to his objections to the pardons, Greg Rosen strongly criticized the administration’s decision to dismantle the Capitol Siege Section and demote or fire several key prosecutors. He called the move “an affront to the independence of the department,” accusing the Trump administration of retaliating against career attorneys who upheld the law without political bias.
Sources within the Justice Department confirmed that shortly after the Inauguration Day pardons, several seasoned prosecutors were reassigned, while others left the department voluntarily. Legal analysts and former DOJ officials have raised concerns that this signals a disturbing politicization of federal law enforcement under the Trump administration.
A Record of Success: DOJ Secured Convictions in 100% of Jan. 6 Trials
During his tenure, Greg Rosen led one of the most successful prosecutorial teams in recent DOJ history. The Capitol Siege Section, under his leadership, achieved full or partial convictions in every jury trial related to January 6. Greg Rosen notably prosecuted the case of Leo Kelly, who was convicted in May 2023 for multiple felony offenses connected to the riot.
Responding to critics who accused the prosecutions of being politically charged, Rosen defended the integrity of the trials. “The reason those juries convicted — and the reason those judges convicted individuals — was not because of some bug in due process,” he said. “It was because the evidence was overwhelming. It was the most videotaped crime in American history.”
Mass Pardons Draw Fire From Legal Community
President Trump’s mass pardons have drawn swift condemnation from legal scholars, former DOJ officials, and law enforcement leaders. Many argue that the sweeping clemency undermines years of painstaking work by prosecutors and could weaken public trust in the justice system.
Critics warn that failing to hold rioters accountable could embolden extremists and signal that political violence is a legitimate form of protest. “This wasn’t just about trespassing,” said one former federal prosecutor. “These were coordinated, violent acts meant to obstruct the democratic process. Pardoning those responsible sets a precedent with dangerous implications.”
Greg Rosen’s Next Chapter: From Prosecutor to Private Practice
Following his departure from the Department of Justice, Greg Rosen has joined the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Rogers Joseph O’Donnell. There, he will focus on white-collar defense, drawing on more than 15 years of experience handling federal and state criminal cases.
“I felt like it was time for a change,” Greg Rosen told CBS News. “I want to take what I’ve learned in public service and use it to help clients facing government scrutiny.” While he transitions to private practice, Greg Rosen says he remains committed to upholding the principles of justice and accountability that guided his work at the DOJ.
DOJ Remains Silent Amid Ongoing Fallout
The Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., have yet to respond publicly to Rosen’s resignation or the internal shake-ups following Trump’s pardons. The silence has only fueled speculation and concern over the long-term impact on the department’s morale and mission.
Observers say Greg Rosen’s resignation underscores growing tensions between career prosecutors and the political leadership at DOJ. As legal experts continue to assess the broader implications of the mass pardons, Greg Rosen’s departure may mark a pivotal moment in the department’s struggle to maintain its independence under an increasingly politicized landscape.
