In a noteworthy development, a man who was found guilty of misdemeanor trespassing linked to the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, has secured a position within the Pentagon. Elias Irizarry has been appointed to the office of the undersecretary of defense for policy, an entity responsible for advising on national security matters and military strategic planning.
The events of January 6 saw a violent attempt by supporters of then-President Donald Trump to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. Rioters clashed with law enforcement as they stormed the Capitol building.
According to official sources and internal documents, Irizarry’s new role in the Pentagon was first reported by The Washington Post. Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez expressed pride in Irizarry’s appointment, describing him as a “qualified, patriotic young professional.” However, it remains unclear how long Irizarry has held this position, as the Pentagon has not provided further details.
Senator Mark Warner, the leading Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, voiced his disapproval on social media, questioning the appropriateness of hiring someone with Irizarry’s background for such a role.
Irizarry, who was 19 at the time of the Capitol incident, was a student at The Citadel military college in South Carolina and a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol. Court documents indicate that he participated in the breach by climbing through a broken window, entering a conference room, and taking photos while carrying a metal pole.
Prosecutors highlighted that, given his training, Irizarry should have been aware of the potential dangers posed by the rioters to congressional members and staff inside the Capitol. He ultimately pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor trespassing charge in October 2022 and was sentenced to 14 days in prison by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in March 2023.
During his sentencing, Irizarry expressed remorse, stating that his actions had brought “great shame” upon himself, his family, and his country. He condemned the notion of Americans turning against each other and undermining the institutions that many have fought to protect.
Irizarry’s appointment is not an isolated incident; other individuals convicted in relation to the January 6 riots have also found positions within the Trump administration. Jared Wise, a former FBI agent who faced charges for his involvement in the riots, was hired by the Justice Department as an adviser to its pardon attorney last year. His case was dismissed prior to a jury verdict after Trump issued pardons and commutations for numerous individuals charged in connection with the riots.
Wise later announced his resignation from the Justice Department, stating that he intended to expose what he perceived as abuses by the FBI and DOJ against January 6 defendants, but concluded that this could only be accomplished from outside the government.
