Thomas Osborne, a Florida man accused of involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot, attempted to delay his federal trial by invoking the possibility of a pardon from former President Donald Trump. Osborne’s attorney, Jeffrey G. Brown, filed a motion in November 2024, suggesting that a high-ranking member of the future Trump administration had assured that a pardon for Osborne was “almost a certainty.” Despite this claim, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta denied the request, arguing that Osborne had not demonstrated the legal grounds needed to delay his trial.
Judge Mehta emphasized that the case had been ongoing since February 2024 and that there was a strong public interest in resolving the matter promptly. The judge rejected Osborne’s speculation about a potential pardon, stating that it was insufficient to overcome the need for justice to proceed in a timely manner. Osborne faces a variety of charges stemming from his participation in the Capitol riot, including felony civil disorder and disorderly conduct. The charges stem from his alleged actions on January 6, 2021, during the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol by rioters seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election. Specifically, Osborne is accused of interfering with law enforcement officers who were defending the Capitol and reportedly grabbing an officer’s baton during the chaos.
In addition to his charges related to the Capitol attack, Osborne is connected to Christopher Worrell, a member of the Proud Boys extremist group. Worrell was convicted in 2023 for his role in the riot, and Osborne is accused of harboring him while Worrell was on the run from authorities. After Worrell absconded before his sentencing, investigators discovered his belongings at Osborne’s home in Florida, as well as a large cache of firearms. Among the weapons found were several handguns, rifles, and shotguns, including a loaded silver revolver near the front door and an AR-15-style rifle beside Osborne’s bed. Prosecutors used this discovery to argue against Osborne’s release from custody, but despite concerns about the weapons, Judge Mehta allowed him to be released under strict conditions.
Osborne’s defense team argued that the recent election of Donald Trump and his promises to pardon individuals involved in the January 6 events should warrant a delay in the trial. They suggested that the incoming administration’s potential pardons could significantly affect the legal proceedings, especially for defendants like Osborne. The motion also referenced the actions of other judges, who had delayed trials for other January 6 defendants, in an effort to highlight that such delays had occurred in the past. Osborne’s attorney contended that delaying the trial for a few months would not harm the efficient administration of justice, noting that Trump’s campaign promises created an expectation among his supporters, including Osborne, that they would receive pardons.
Despite these arguments, Judge Mehta ruled that the case should proceed without delay. The judge’s decision was grounded in the understanding that the legal process must move forward, regardless of potential changes in the political landscape or promises made by political figures. Osborne’s trial, which has already been delayed several times, will now proceed as scheduled.
Osborne, who was arrested in February 2024, was released from custody in March under strict conditions. He is required to live with his father and sister in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he remains under 24-hour house arrest. As part of his release conditions, he is prohibited from possessing firearms. Despite the possibility of a pardon, the legal system continues to push forward with the prosecution of individuals involved in the January 6 insurrection, ensuring that justice is served for those accused of participating in the violent attempt to disrupt the democratic process.
