Trump’s Justice Department ‘proud’ it buried crimes of far-right paedophile

The United States Justice Department has deleted from its official website the conviction record of a January 6 rioter who was subsequently found guilty of soliciting a child online, and declared itself proud of doing so. Andrew Taake, from Houston, Texas, was sentenced in 2024 for a savage assault on police officers during the Capitol…

Andrew Taake
Andrew Taake in court of charges of soliciting sex from a minor

The United States Justice Department has deleted from its official website the conviction record of a January 6 rioter who was subsequently found guilty of soliciting a child online, and declared itself proud of doing so.

Andrew Taake, from Houston, Texas, was sentenced in 2024 for a savage assault on police officers during the Capitol insurrection, during which he used bear spray and attacked officers with a metal whip.

Andrew Taake
Andrew Taake pictured during the January 6 riot at the Capitol

The Justice Department’s own press release on the case had noted a pending child solicitation charge against him.

Taake was later also convicted on that charge. Both facts have now been scrubbed from the DOJ website.

The deletions were uncovered last week by a Washington Post journalist, who made them public.

The administration’s response removed any remaining doubt about intent.

The DOJ’s official rapid response account on X declared that the department was “proud” of the removals, framing the erasure of its own conviction records as the correction of “partisan propaganda” left behind by the Biden administration.

The administration is simultaneously preparing to disburse nearly $1.8 billion in compensation to individuals it claims were unjustly prosecuted over January 6, rioters included.


Paul Holborow

Paul Holborow

In the campaign against the National Front, Searchlight provided a rich and utterly reliable basis for much ANL propaganda – particularly with reference to the two leading NF figures, John Tyndall and Martin Webster. The appearance of Tyndall in full nazi uniform, drawn from the archives of Searchlight, was a key part of ANL propaganda, coupled with deeply damaging nazi quotes from Webster.

Paul Holborow
Founding member of the ANL and National Organiser 1977-81

Peter Hain

Peter Hain, founder of the ANL and friend of Searchlight

British Jews have been persecuted over the centuries; British blacks since the Windrush generation of the 1950s; British Muslims, especially after the Islamist 9/11 and then 7/7 terrorist attacks in New York 2001 and London 2005. But until the last few years there has not been a simultaneous threat against all three British communities of Jewish, Black and Muslim Britons – meaning the need for Searchlight has never been greater.

Peter Hain
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minster

Alf Dubs

Lord Alf Dubs

Searchlight’s voice is more important than ever, and I am delighted that it will now be available to a wider audience than ever before in its new incarnation online. Searchlight has been extremely helpful over the years in exposing the far right, corruption, criminality and the murky links between organised crime and powerful interests in the UK and abroad. I wish Searchlight the very best.

Alf Dubs
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minister, and Kindertransport child

Nick Davies

Nick Davies

To investigate fascists takes real courage and unusual commitment. The government, police, mainstream media occasionally take a look, but in the UK only Searchlight have kept at it, relentlessly and admirably, regardless of threat or obstacle. It’s journalism that matters. A rare thing.

Nick Davies
Multi-award-winning investigative journalist and writer

Paul Nowak

Paul Nowak

The essence of trade unionism is solidarity, fairness and equality – for all workers – from all backgrounds. That’s why our fight against the far-right has always been part of our movement’s DNA. Searchlight is an incredibly important resource for trade unions and members to understand the contemporary tactics of far-right activity. Their work and intelligence gathering over the years have been incredibly insightful for the work we do, and how we fight the scourge of fascism.

Paul Nowak
TUC General Secretary

Professor Colin Holmes

Professor Colin Holmes
Everyone who wants to understand contemporary racism and its historical background needs to read Searchlight.
Professor Colin Holmes
University of Sheffield

Top ten most read