Greg Rosen, the federal prosecutor who played a leading role in the Justice Department’s handling of the January 6th Capitol riot cases, has resigned from his position. Rosen, who served as the chief of the Justice Department’s Capitol Siege Section, has moved to a private law firm.
In an interview with CBS News, Rosen expressed his strong disapproval of President Trump’s pardons for individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He stated that these pardons continue to shock and alarm federal investigators who worked on the cases.
“The message that [the pardons] send is that political violence towards a political goal is acceptable in a modern democratic society,” Rosen said. “That, from my perspective, is anathema to a constitutional republic.”
Rosen helped oversee a large team of attorneys at the Justice Department following the Capitol riot, which resulted in numerous injuries to police officers and significant damage to the Capitol building. He described President Trump’s decision to pardon all, rather than just some, of the Capitol riot defendants as a “stunning decision” with damaging consequences.
“It sends a terrible message to the American people,” Rosen stated. “Individuals who were duly — and appropriately — convicted of federal crimes ranging in culpability are immediately let loose without any supervision, without any remorse, without any rehabilitation to civil society.”
During his tenure at the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia, Rosen handled a variety of criminal cases. He took charge of the section dealing with January 6th cases and served as a lead prosecutor in the trial of Leo Kelly, who was convicted in May 2023.
Rosen highlighted the Justice Department’s high success rate in January 6th trials, securing convictions in 100% of jury trials. He dismissed criticism from Trump supporters who claimed bias in the juries or politicization of the prosecutions.
“The reason those juries convicted — and the reason those judges convicted individuals — was not because of some bug in the due process,” Rosen explained. “It was because the evidence was overwhelming. It was the most videotaped crime in American history.”
The article also notes that after President Trump’s Inauguration Day pardons, some prosecutors involved in the January 6th prosecutions were reportedly demoted or fired, and the Capitol Siege Section was disbanded. Critics have accused the administration of targeting these attorneys as an act of retribution.
“To see those talented prosecutors be marginalized or removed from office is an affront to the independence of the department,” Rosen said.
Rosen’s departure comes as he begins his new role at the Rogers, Joseph O’Donnell law firm in Washington, D.C. He told CBS News that he felt it was “time for a change” and an opportunity to bring his 15 years of experience in state and federal practice to the private sector, where he can assist clients facing government scrutiny.
The Justice Department and the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Rosen’s resignation and his statements.
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