Caroline Wren, a key organizer of the January 6, 2021, “Save America Rally,” has been ordered to pay a daily fine of $2,000 after failing to comply with a subpoena in a civil lawsuit brought by Capitol Police officers.
Wren, who was heavily involved in the rally’s planning and logistics, has now been held in contempt by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks in Florida after disregarding court orders to produce documents related to the rally.
The Lawsuit and Wren’s Role
The lawsuit, filed in 2021 by Capitol Police officers, alleges violations of the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, which prohibits mob violence directed at federal officials. The case targets several individuals and groups involved in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including former President Donald Trump.
While Wren is not the subject of the lawsuit, her involvement in organizing the rally and coordinating logistics for the march to the Capitol has made her a key figure in the investigation.
Wren, a Republican Party fundraiser, played a significant role in organizing the event. She was listed as a “VIP ADVISOR” on the rally permit and worked closely with Trump campaign officials and event organizers.
Wren helped with fundraising, planning the programming, and even suggested controversial figures like Roger Stone, Alex Jones, and Ali Alexander as speakers. In the lead-up to the rally, she communicated extensively with organizers about when and how Trump would direct the march to the Capitol, where the violence later unfolded.
Subpoena and Wren’s Failure to Comply
In 2023, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit subpoenaed Wren for documents related to the rally, including planning, fundraising, communications, security, and efforts to encourage attendance. Despite multiple court orders, Wren failed to respond to the subpoena or appear in court to address the request.
As a result, the plaintiffs filed a motion to compel compliance in September 2024, arguing that Wren’s documents were crucial to their claims.
Judge Middlebrooks had previously ordered Wren to secure legal counsel or appear in court pro se (representing herself). After several attempts to serve her with the subpoena, the U.S. Marshals successfully delivered the documents to Wren in early February 2025. However, she still failed to comply with the court’s orders, leading to the contempt ruling.
Civil Contempt and Daily Fines
In response to Wren’s continued non-compliance, Judge Middlebrooks found her in civil contempt of court. He imposed a daily fine of $2,000, which will continue until she produces the requested documents.
The judge emphasized that Wren’s refusal to engage in the legal process had unnecessarily delayed the proceedings and deprived the plaintiffs of access to important information.
“She has still failed to appear, respond to the subpoena, or heed this Court’s instructions,” the judge wrote in the order. “This ‘pattern of disregard and non-engagement’ has unduly delayed proceedings and deprived Movants of the fair and full access to discoverable material.”
Future Consequences and Legal Pressure
If the daily fines do not compel Wren to comply with the subpoena, Judge Middlebrooks indicated that additional steps may be taken to ensure compliance. The judge’s ruling highlights the importance of accountability in cases involving the January 6 insurrection and sends a strong message that defying court orders will have serious consequences.
Caroline Wren’s failure to comply with a court subpoena in the Capitol Police lawsuit has now resulted in daily fines and the risk of further legal consequences.
As the case progresses, Wren’s role in the January 6 rally and the broader investigation into the events surrounding the Capitol attack will likely remain under intense scrutiny.
The judge’s decision to impose monetary penalties underscores the seriousness of her refusal to cooperate with the legal process.
