Recently released individuals convicted in connection with the Jan. 6 events are making their way to Washington—not with weapons, banners, or looted equipment—but with a strong desire to gain influence.
A number of the rioters who valiantly defended President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021, and received clemency from him this week, are eager to integrate into his administration. Others are contemplating candidacies for elected positions or involvement in political campaigns.
Whatever their plans, they are determined to propel the MAGA movement forward without pause.
“Unfortunately, President Trump can’t seek reelection in 2028, but I will support anyone who carries the banner of the new conservative movement. I will be knocking on doors for them,” stated Enrique Tarrio, head of the extremist group Proud Boys, in a conversation with Matt Gaetz on his Newsmax program on Thursday.
Tarrio was among more than 1,500 individuals linked to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, who were pardoned by Trump as part of the president’s initial acts in office on Tuesday. Others included fellow members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers—far-right organizations that prosecutors allege were key players in orchestrating the raid on Capitol Hill in a bid to obstruct the electoral certification.
According to sources, John Strand, a former underwear model convicted on felony obstruction charges and misdemeanors for trespassing in the Capitol with a well-known anti-vaccine physician, is thinking about entering the political arena.
Strand shared with local reporters in Florida that he was released from prison early after serving around a year. When asked to comment on his political aspirations, Strand remarked, “The Daily Beast represents a disgrace to journalism and to our nation.”
Strand is not the first individual with Jan. 6-related charges to consider a political career.
Derrick Evans, a former West Virginia House delegate who admitted to a felony civil disorder charge and was granted a pardon, unsuccessfully attempted to run in a primary against Republican Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) last election cycle.
Jeremy Michael Brown, a veteran Green Beret affiliated with the Oath Keepers, sought election to Florida’s state legislature in 2022 while incarcerated, awaiting trial for trespassing and disorderly conduct due to the Capitol riot. In 2023, Brown was convicted of unrelated weapons charges in Florida and received a seven-year prison sentence, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
The pardoning of Jan. 6 defendants by Trump elicited a mix of reactions from Republicans in Congress, facing backlash from several prominent figures such as Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). “I cannot support pardons for individuals who resorted to violence on January 6, including the assault on police officers or breaking windows to enter the Capitol,” Collins stated shortly following the announcement.
Additionally, the decision received rare criticism from the Fraternal Order of Police, which backed Trump in the 2024 race. The police union condemned the clemency granted to those convicted of crimes against law enforcement during the incident.
Some legislators, including those who participated in the Jan. 6 Select Committee, are increasingly concerned about a potential effort to alter the narrative around the events of that day.
“The Oath Keepers now possess significant sway in Washington due to being pardoned by the person behind the events, Donald Trump. This pardon implies he accepts responsibility for what transpired on January 6. They hold considerable influence because their ideologies align with white nationalism, authoritarianism, and violence,” remarked former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA), who served as a senior adviser for the Jan. 6 Select Committee in a discussion with the Daily Beast.
Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, who had his 18-year sentence commuted and time served, visited Capitol Hill on Wednesday, meeting with lawmakers to advocate for Brown’s release.
“I never entered the Capitol. I did not assault a police officer. None of my associates did either. We were targeted for political gain simply based on our identities,” Rhodes told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday.
The 59-year-old veteran also asserted that his organization did not plan the assault. “They stumbled in along with everyone else. This doesn’t categorize them as criminals, merely as somewhat foolish,” he added.
In a statement to the Journal, Rhodes expressed an interest in working in Trump’s administration—either within Elon Musk’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency or with unconfirmed candidates Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel.
Other former prisoners from January 6 have suggested they may seek roles outside of public office. Tarrio informed Gaetz on Thursday of his openness to a position in the administration if it were presented, stating that he intends to stay engaged in local politics while determining his future direction.
Tarrio is optimistic about the outlook for the Proud Boys, maintaining that he remains their leader. “We are making progress,” Tarrio conveyed to The Journal on Thursday. “The organization is currently more united than it has ever been.”
Tarrio additionally shared that he intends to advocate for Proud Boys members whose sentences were commuted but not entirely pardoned.
“During my deposition, Enrique Tarrio mentioned the influence of Roger Stone. I believe their plan will involve influencing politics from within rather than from the outside,” Rep. Riggleman told the Daily Beast. “They will likely run for office, seek appointments in the Trump administration, pursue positions on Capitol Hill as congressional aides, lobby regarding January 6, attempt to reshape the narrative surrounding that day, and create a new story to gain acceptance into the mainstream.”
