Pentagon hires man who pleaded guilty in Jan. 6 riot for sensitive civilian job in special operations policy office
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Elias Irizarry, who pleaded guilty to participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot as a 19-year-old and later expressed remorse, currently works as a special assistant in the Defense Department with a top-secret security clearance.
- Irizarry serves under Assistant Secretary of Defense Derrick Anderson in the Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict policy office, a role he has held since early 2023.
- He was sentenced to 14 days in jail for entering a restricted building during the riot but was pardoned by former President Trump on the first day of his second term.
- During sentencing, Irizarry apologized and expressed deep regret, with the judge noting his remorse and potential for a positive future despite the seriousness of his offense.
- The Pentagon confirmed his employment and described him as a qualified and patriotic professional, while his lawyer and public defender highlighted his distinct remorse and lack of extremist beliefs compared to other rioters.