- 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.
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