In a surprising twist, Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the far-right Oath Keepers group, is now free to enter Washington after a federal judge overturned a recent travel ban. The decision comes after Ed Martin, President Trump’s newly appointed U.S. attorney in Washington, stepped in to argue against the restrictions.

Rhodes had been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. However, his sentence was commuted by President Trump on Inauguration Day, effectively releasing him from custody. Last week, Judge Amit P. Mehta had issued an order barring Rhodes from entering Washington without permission, but he reversed that decision on Monday.

The judge’s change of heart was influenced by Martin’s unusual intervention. Martin, acting more like Rhodes’ advocate than a federal prosecutor, argued that the travel ban overstepped the authority granted by Trump’s clemency proclamation. Judge Mehta ultimately agreed, stating that the “unconditional” clemency made it impossible to impose further restrictions on Rhodes.

This move marks a significant shift for the Washington federal prosecutors’ office, which had previously secured Rhodes’ conviction and played a key role in prosecuting hundreds of individuals tied to the January 6 insurrection. Martin’s decision to back Rhodes has raised eyebrows, highlighting the evolving dynamics within the justice system under the new administration.

With Rhodes now free to travel, the case continues to draw attention for its legal and political implications, particularly as debates over the events of January 6 remain a contentious topic.