DistantNews
Support us
Convicted Capitol Attacker Hired by Pentagon for Sensitive Role
🇦🇹 Austria /Conflict & Security

Convicted Capitol Attacker Hired by Pentagon for Sensitive Role

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Elias Irizarry, who participated in the January 6 Capitol attack, has been hired by the U.S. Department of Defense in a sensitive role.
  • A Pentagon spokesperson described Irizarry as a "qualified, patriotic young professional" and expressed pride in his hiring.
  • Irizarry works in a department focused on irregular warfare and counter-terrorism, requiring a high-level security clearance, raising internal questions about his appointment.

Elias Irizarry, a convicted participant in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, has been employed by the U.S. Department of Defense in a role involving highly sensitive matters. A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed Irizarry's position as a "politically appointed" individual, describing him as a "qualified, patriotic young professional" and stating the department is proud to have him.

The exact circumstances of Irizarry's hiring remain unclear, with typical political appointments originating from the Secretary of Defense's office or directly from the White House. According to reports from the "Washington Post" and other U.S. media outlets, Irizarry has been working since last year in a department dedicated to critical functions such as irregular warfare and counter-terrorism. Positions within this department necessitate an extremely high level of security clearance.

He is a qualified, patriotic young professional, and we are proud to have him in the Department of Defense.

— Joel ValdezPentagon spokesperson Joel Valdez described Elias Irizarry's qualifications and the department's pride in hiring him.

His appointment has reportedly sparked internal discussions regarding how an individual associated with the attack on U.S. democracy could attain such a sensitive post. During the January 6th events in 2021, supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building while Congress was certifying Joe Biden's election victory. Irizarry, then a 19-year-old cadet at a military academy, was among the rioters, seen entering through a broken window and holding a metal rod, though he reportedly did not injure anyone.

Following his conviction, Irizarry expressed deep remorse for his involvement in the Capitol riot, stating, "I am ashamed because I will forever be part of this disgrace." He received a 14-day jail sentence for entering and remaining in a restricted area. Reports indicate he was later readmitted to his military academy. Notably, Trump pardoned Irizarry early in his second term, along with nearly all others convicted in connection with the Capitol attack.

I am ashamed because I will forever be part of this disgrace.

— Elias IrizarryU.S. media quoted Irizarry expressing remorse during his hearing after being convicted for his role in the Capitol attack.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog