The Justice Department has placed two federal prosecutors on leave after they were involved in drafting a legal document that referred to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack as a “riot” carried out through a “mob,” according to a report from CBS News citing three confidential sources.
The prosecutors, whose names have not been disclosed, were part of a team handling cases related to the Capitol breach.
The legal document in question was filed in connection with ongoing prosecutions of individuals accused of participating in the Capitol attack.
The Justice Department has not issued a public statement on the matter or confirmed details about the administrative action.
The January 6 attack occurred as Congress met to certify the 2020 presidential election results. The event resulted in multiple deaths, injuries to law enforcement officers, and extensive damage to the Capitol building.
Since then, more than 1,400 people have faced charges related to the incident, including trespassing, obstruction of an official proceeding, and assault on police officers.