Convicted Jan 6 rioter appointed to sensitive Pentagon job
Has ICE hired any Jan. 6 rioters?
The Trump administration appointed Elias Irizarry, a convicted January 6 rioter, to a sensitive Pentagon position within the Department of Defense’s Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict office.
Irizarry had pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for entering the US Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection, where he was accused of entering through a broken window with a metal pole.
The appointment raised alarms among insiders due to the sensitive nature of the role, which handles missions like counterterrorism and hostage rescues, and Irizarry’s past involvement in the riot.
The Pentagon defended the hiring, calling Irizarry a “qualified, patriotic young professional,” a sentiment echoed by a DOJ official who praised his character and loyalty.
Irizarry, who was pardoned by President Donald Trump, had previously apologized for his actions on January 6 but later highlighted his involvement as a conservative credential during an unsuccessful political campaign.
