The individual famously known as the “Qanon Shaman,” who was armed with a spear and shirtless during the Jan. 6 riot, has received a pardon from Donald Trump. In light of his newfound freedom, he enthusiastically declares his intention to commemorate the occasion by purchasing firearms.
Jacob Chansley, hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, emerged as an early participant among the Trump supporters who flocked to the Capitol building on January 6, 2021. Their aim was to overturn the electoral defeat of the then-incumbent president to Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
With his distinctive raccoon fur hat adorned with horns, face painted in red, white, and blue, and his powerful bullhorn to incite the crowd, the far-right conspiracy theorist became an iconic figure of the insurrection, gaining global recognition. A judge later emphasized that he played a leading role in spearheading the movement into the chamber.
Chansley, who pleaded guilty to obstructing an official, received one of the longest sentences among the rioters. In November 2021, he was ordered to serve 41 months in prison. However, he was released in May 2023 after serving 27 months.
On Monday, he found himself among the 1,500 individuals whose charges connected to the riot were dismissed, thanks to Trump’s pardoning spree as he began his second administration.
“Our rights are bestowed upon us by God, not by the government. Freedom is inherent to our existence. I possess a free spirit, and I have an innate desire to explore. Now that I am finally able to do so, I intend to travel across the country!” expressed Chansley enthusiastically when contacted by The Independent.
Chansley wasted no time in expressing his elation on X, right after he received the news of his pardon on Monday evening.
“I just received the news from my lawyer,” he excitedly tweeted. “I have been granted a pardon! Thank you so much, President Trump!”
Presidents have the authority to grant pardons, which involves removing a punishment after a court decision, as well as commutations, which entail reducing the punishment for a crime. However, this power only applies to federal convictions and does not extend to state crimes.
Chansely, a former believer and promoter of the QAnon conspiracy theories and a self-proclaimed shamanic practitioner, made it clear that his top priority as a free individual would be to acquire firearms.
Prior to his sentencing in November 2021, Chansley conveyed regret for his actions, expressing to U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth that he acknowledged the indefensibility of his behavior.
During the second impeachment hearing in February 2021, the flag-carrying Shaman, also known as the person who called the FBI, came forward and revealed that he had been influenced by MAGA propaganda. He expressed his willingness to testify before Congress.
In November 2023, he made an effort to distance himself from the QAnon movement by undergoing a “rebrand”. As part of this, he submitted a statement of interest to the Arizona Secretary of State, expressing his intention to run as a Libertarian for the seat.
During an interview with conservative author Joe Polish prior to Trump’s inauguration on Monday morning, Chansley expressed his optimism for the future of the United States under Trump’s second term.
“I would love to witness a cultural shift in America that fosters a harmonious relationship between its people and the environment,” he expressed. “With the new administration, I truly believe that this vision is becoming a reality.”
In a surprising move, President Trump has granted a pardon to all individuals convicted of offenses related to the events that took place at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. This pardon is full, complete, and unconditional, and includes those who were involved in assaulting law enforcement officers during the incident.
In addition, he granted clemency to 14 individuals who were part of the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers militias, commuting their sentences.
In his inaugural address, Trump did not explicitly mention the Jan 6 rioters. However, he subtly hinted at his potential pardons for a large crowd of supporters in the Capitol. It is worth noting that Trump himself is a convicted felon.
During the event on Monday, he emphasized that actions speak louder than words. He assured the attendees that they would witness significant action taken to secure the J6 hostages.
During his presidential campaign last year, Trump enthusiastically promoted the release of the Jan 6 rioters after securing the top spot on the GOP ticket.
In a post on Truth Social in March 2024, Trump made a pledge to prioritize the release of the individuals who were unjustly imprisoned as a result of the events on January 6th.
On December 2, Biden made the announcement about pardoning his eldest son, Hunter. In response, Trump once again contemplated granting pardons to his supporters who had been charged for their involvement in the Capitol riot.
According to the Department of Justice, as of January 6, 2025, a total of 1,583 individuals have been criminally charged in federal court.