A January 6 defendant who received a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump now faces renewed legal scrutiny after returning to the Washington area and appearing near the home of Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland.
Taylor Taranto, who had been convicted earlier this year on charges related to threats against Congressman Raskin and former President Barack Obama, appeared before U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols on Thursday. The judge ordered Taranto to return immediately to his home in Washington state and indicated he would consider prosecutors’ request to jail the defendant.
Judge Nichols had convicted Taranto in a bench trial of illegally possessing firearms and ammunition in his van when authorities arrested him near President Obama’s residence in the nation’s capital in 2023. The judge also found Taranto guilty of recording himself making a hoax bomb threat against a government building in Maryland.
During Thursday’s hearing, Taranto’s probation officer informed the court that local police observed the defendant near Representative Raskin’s home in Takoma Park, Maryland, on Tuesday morning. According to court testimony, Taranto had been living out of his van while in the Washington area and broadcasting on the video platform Rumble, where he described himself as an independent journalist investigating major crimes.
The case gained significant attention in 2023 when Taranto entered a Maryland elementary school while livestreaming what prosecutors characterized as apparent threats against Representative Raskin. During that broadcast, Taranto told his online audience that he specifically selected the elementary school because of its proximity to the congressman’s residence.
Prosecutors quoted Taranto from that livestream stating he was targeting Raskin because the congressman “hates January 6 people, or more like Trump supporters.” Taranto reportedly said his actions would send “a shockwave” through Raskin, adding that he had done nothing wrong and suggesting the congressman was “probably freaking out.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Travis Wolf argued during a closed court session that Taranto’s return to the Washington area, coupled with his resumed livestreaming activities and what prosecutors describe as erratic behavior, raises concerns that he may be returning to the conduct that resulted in criminal charges against him in 2023. Wolf cited mental health concerns and alleged violations of Taranto’s supervised release conditions.
Representative Raskin’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
The case represents one of several instances in which individuals pardoned by President Trump for January 6-related offenses have subsequently encountered legal difficulties. It raises questions about the conditions and monitoring of pardoned defendants who had faced serious charges before receiving presidential clemency.
The matter now rests with Judge Nichols, who must determine whether Taranto’s actions warrant incarceration or if ordering his return to Washington state will prove sufficient to address the concerns raised by prosecutors and probation officials.
Related: Colombia Captures $340 Million in Cocaine Amid Growing Diplomatic Tensions Over U.S. Naval Strikes
