CPAC Reverses Course On Bad Decision - J6ers Allowed Back Inside Conference

CPAC Reverses Course - J6ers Allowed Back Inside Conference, Stewart Rhodes Responds

As the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2025 unfolds at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, a significant controversy has emerged and swiftly evolved. On February 20, 2025, reports surfaced that several prominent individuals associated with the January 6, 2021, Capitol protest—commonly referred to as "J6ers"—were initially denied entry or escorted out of the conference. This sparked outrage among supporters and raised questions about CPAC’s stance on these individuals, many of whom were recently pardoned or had their sentences commuted by President Donald Trump. However, CPAC quickly issued a statement clarifying its position, reversing the initial decision, and allowing these individuals back into the event. Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers and a notable figure among the J6ers, has since responded to the developments.

The controversy began on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, when Jake Lang, a former January 6 prisoner, was reportedly removed from the conference while live-streaming from a booth he had rented. Lang, who had organized to bring books, shirts, and over 20 tickets for fellow J6ers, was vocal about his expulsion, calling it discriminatory and even suggesting a boycott of CPAC. Video footage captured him shouting, “They’re kicking out J6ers!” as security escorted him from the premises. Following this, additional reports indicated that at least six other prominent J6ers—including Stewart Rhodes, Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, Dominic Pezzola, Ethan Nordean, and Richard "Bigo" Barnett—were also denied entry or had their credentials revoked without clear explanation. The only rationale provided to some, such as Rhodes, was a vague reference to "legal" issues.

This move bewildered many attendees and observers, given CPAC’s historical alignment with conservative causes and its vocal support for those persecuted following January 6. The affected individuals, many of whom had been celebrated as patriots by segments of the conservative base after Trump’s pardons, had anticipated a warm welcome at the event to reunite and thank supporters, including Trump himself, who is scheduled to speak on Saturday.

By Thursday morning, February 20, 2025, the backlash had grown, with posts on X and articles from outlets like The Gateway Pundit amplifying the story. Facing mounting pressure, CPAC issued an official statement at 9:41 AM EST via its X account, addressing the situation directly:

"It is untrue that we are not allowing people to come to CPAC because of their involvement with J6. In fact, CPAC has been a constant supporter of this persecuted community and we support wholeheartedly President Trump’s pardons of the J6 victims. The registration link is active."

Reports later confirmed that CPAC leadership, after consultation with its legal team, reversed the initial decision to bar these individuals. Enrique Tarrio, for instance, told a Gateway Pundit reporter on Thursday morning that CPAC had informed him the reversal would take effect within two to three hours, attributing the earlier exclusions to a decision by the legal team that was now being overridden. This rapid turnaround suggests internal miscommunication or a hasty reaction to legal concerns that was quickly reconsidered in light of CPAC’s public image and base expectations.

Stewart Rhodes, a central figure in the January 6 narrative as the founder of the Oath Keepers, was among those initially removed. Having arrived in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night and checked into the Gaylord Hotel, Rhodes was pulled from the credential line and escorted out, despite holding pre-approved press credentials. His reaction at the time reflected frustration and a sense of betrayal: “I was just kicked out of CPAC… I asked why and all the female staff lady would say is ‘legal.’ I was escorted out by security from there.”

Following CPAC’s statement and the decision to allow J6ers back in, Rhodes responded with a mix of vindication and skepticism. While specific quotes from his latest response are still emerging as of 3:01 PM EST on February 20, posts on X and updates from The Gateway Pundit suggest he acknowledged the reversal but questioned the initial exclusion. Rhodes, who had been convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 18 years before Trump’s commutation, has consistently framed himself as a patriot unfairly targeted by a two-tiered justice system—a narrative he reiterated in videos of his removal from CPAC. His response likely reinforces this view, casting the incident as an example of conservative infighting or external pressure, though he has not yet detailed his plans to re-enter the conference.

The incident highlights the delicate balance CPAC must strike as a flagship conservative gathering and quickly that position can be destroyed. With Trump’s recent pardons of over 1,500 January 6 defendants—enacted on his first day back in office in January 2025—the J6ers have become a polarizing symbol within the Republican Party. While many MAGA supporters view them as heroes who stood up for election integrity, others within the broader conservative coalition remain wary of their association with the Capitol riot, which disrupted the certification of the 2020 election and resulted in significant legal and political fallout.

CPAC’s initial decision to exclude these figures may have stemmed from legal or public relations concerns, possibly linked to ongoing scrutiny of groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, despite the pardons. However, the swift reversal underscores the event’s reliance on the MAGA base, which has embraced these individuals as part of its narrative of resisting government overreach. The presence of high-profile speakers like Vice President J.D. Vance and Trump himself further amplifies the expectation that CPAC align with this sentiment.

As of now, several questions linger. The exact reasoning behind the initial exclusions—beyond the vague "legal" justification—has not been fully disclosed. It’s uncertain whether CPAC’s legal team acted preemptively due to perceived liability or if external pressures influenced the decision. Additionally, while the statement welcomes J6ers back, it’s unclear if all affected individuals, including Lang, Rhodes, and Tarrio, have successfully re-entered the conference or if logistical hurdles remain.

The saga of the J6ers at CPAC 2025 reflects the ongoing tensions within the conservative movement as it navigates its identity in the Trump era. What began as a flashpoint of controversy—threatening to overshadow the conference’s celebratory tone following Trump’s electoral victory—appears to have been defused by CPAC’s retraction and olive branch. Stewart Rhodes and his peers, once again admitted into the fold, will likely use the platform to reinforce their narrative of redemption and resilience. As the conference continues through Saturday, all eyes will be on how this episode shapes the broader conversation among attendees and the conservative base at large.

For now, the situation remains fluid, with updates expected as more J6ers rejoin the event and share their experiences. What is clear is that CPAC, under pressure from its own constituency, has reaffirmed its support for the J6 community, aligning itself firmly with Trump’s pardon legacy.

The question remains, how will CPAC remain the flagship of the Republican Party if they can't align themselves wholey with the Party's position?