By Karim Hammam
A North Carolina man pardoned by former President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol has been arrested again, this time on charges of threatening to kill federal judges.
Pardon and previous conviction
Cleveland Meredith, who had previously pleaded guilty to threatening then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was among nearly 1,600 individuals granted clemency on Trump's first day back in office in 2025. In December 2021, Meredith was sentenced to 28 months after pleading guilty to a charge involving a threat to shoot Pelosi. He had traveled to Washington on January 6 but arrived late due to car trouble. Before the riot, he posted messages about “eradicating” enemies and “surrounding DC.”
New threats and arrest
Federal prosecutors in Georgia announced Monday that Meredith was arrested over a Facebook post from April 23, 2026, that read “ALL J6 Federal JUDGES will be EXECUTED!” The complaint also cites additional threatening messages posted last month referencing “firing squads” and a “MASSACRE” around the midterm elections.
Details of the complaint
Prosecutors allege the April post “expressly threatened execution” and constituted a true threat. They say Meredith’s history of violent online rhetoric shows he knowingly sent the message to issue a threat.
Weapons discovered
When FBI agents tracked him to a hotel near the Capitol, they discovered a 9mm handgun, an assault-style rifle with a telescopic sight, about 2,500 rounds of ammunition, and large-capacity magazines in his trailer.
Pattern of reoffending
Prosecutors say Meredith’s April post was part of a campaign of harassment lasting at least 16 months. He was referred to the FBI in July 2025 for another threat, acknowledged making the statements but denied they were threatening. Meredith is one of several pardoned January 6 defendants who have allegedly reoffended.
Business background
Before the riot, Meredith ran a car-wash business in the Atlanta area that drew controversy in 2018 for sponsoring a billboard linked to the QAnon conspiracy theory.
