Pentagon Hires Jan. 6 Rioter for Counterterrorism Role, June 06

The Trump administration hired Elias Irizarry, a 25-year-old convicted of trespassing during the January 6 Capitol riot, to work in the Pentagon’s Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict office. Irizarry was sentenced to 14 days in jail in 2023 after pleading guilty to entering restricted Capitol grounds. He received a full pardon when Trump returned to office in 2025. The hire has drawn criticism over whether someone who participated in an attack on the government should handle classified national-security matters.

What Happened on January 6

On January 6, 2021, 19-year-old Irizarry was part of a mob that broke into the U.S. Capitol. Video footage shows him entering through a broken window while holding a metal pole. He was a freshman at the Citadel, a public military college in South Carolina. After his guilty plea, the school suspended him. A judge who sentenced him later wrote him a recommendation letter to help him reapply. Irizarry was accepted back to the Citadel and ran for Congress in 2024, capturing 28 percent of the Republican primary vote before losing.

Pentagon Role and Security Clearance

Irizarry now works at the Pentagon’s Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict office, which oversees counterterrorism, embassy security, and hostage rescue operations. The office employs about 40 people, and everyone on the team must hold a top-secret security clearance to handle classified information. A Pentagon spokesman told USA TODAY that Irizarry is a qualified patriotic professional. The Pentagon has not disclosed who hired him, what role he plays, or whether he underwent the standard clearance process.

Broader Pattern of Pardoned Rioters in Trouble

Irizarry is not alone. Lawfare, a nonprofit legal issues publication, found that at least 97 people charged in connection with the Capitol riot have been accused of new crimes after receiving Trump pardons. Recent cases include a rioter arrested on a gun charge in Texas, two arrested in a Florida human trafficking sting, one who pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor, and others sentenced to prison for child pornography and child abuse. Some pardoned rioters have also been hired for federal jobs, including Jared Wise, a former FBI agent filmed urging fellow rioters to kill police officers.

Why This Matters

Irizarry’s hiring reflects the Trump administration’s effort to reframe Capitol rioters as patriots. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, question whether someone convicted of attacking the government should access sensitive national-security information. The Pentagon has not answered questions about whether Irizarry underwent standard security clearance procedures or how his past conduct was evaluated for a role guarding against terrorist threats.

Final Thoughts

The Pentagon hired a convicted Capitol rioter to handle classified counterterrorism information, raising concerns about federal hiring standards. At least 97 pardoned rioters have faced new criminal charges since Trump took office, suggesting vetting gaps extend beyond this single case.

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