Jacob Chansley, the so-called “QAnon Shaman,” announced plans to buy firearms after receiving a pardon from President Donald Trump, marking another chapter in the controversial figure’s post-incarceration life.
The announcement follows Trump’s sweeping clemency for individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol riot, during his inauguration as president for a second term.
Newsweek has contacted Chansley by email for comment.
Why It Matters
The pardon is part of Trump’s larger promise to grant clemency to individuals involved in the Capitol riot, an issue he has touted repeatedly during his campaign and early days of his second presidency.
Chansley’s vocal support for gun ownership and his celebratory tone following the pardon highlight ongoing political polarization surrounding January 6 defendants and their reintegration into society.
What to Know
Chansley gained infamy for his horned helmet and face paint during the Capitol insurrection, becoming a symbol of the events that unfolded on January 6, 2021.
His actions earned him a 41-month prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to obstructing an official proceeding. Having served 27 months, Chansley was released in May 2023, and now, with Trump’s pardon, all legal consequences of his conviction have been erased.
Who Did Donald Trump Pardon From the January 6 Riots?
Trump issued around 1,500 pardons and commuted the sentences of 14 supporters linked to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
The pardon is part of a broader clemency initiative that includes members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers militia groups.
Did Trump Pardon Jacob Chansley?
Yes, this includes Chansley. Moments after learning of his pardon, Chansley tweeted, “I got a pardon baby! Thank you President Trump! Now I am gonna buy some motha f***in guns! I love this country! God Bless America.”
Chansley, who once claimed to have been “groomed” by MAGA propaganda, expressed contrition during his sentencing. However, his recent rhetoric shows renewed defiance and alignment with far-right ideologies. His statement aligns with Trump’s continued defense of the rioters, whom he refers to as “hostages” wrongfully imprisoned for their actions during the Capitol riot.
What People Are Saying
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on X: “The President’s actions are an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma as they protected the Capitol, the Congress and the Constitution.”
Family of late Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick: “The pardons are intended to end a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated on the American people … It is our hope that the truth of what happened on that tragic day will survive, irrespective of partisan political objectives.”
Vice President JD Vance on January 12, 2025: “I think it’s very simple. Look, if you protested peacefully on January 6th, and you had Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned. If you committed violence on that day, obviously, you shouldn’t be pardoned. And there’s a little bit of a gray area there.”
What’s Next
Chansley’s future remains uncertain as he navigates life post-pardon. He has previously indicated plans to travel and reenter public life, including exploring a potential run for office.
Meanwhile, Trump’s pardoning spree is likely to face ongoing scrutiny as part of the broader political and legal fallout from the events of January 6, 2021.
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