In the aftermath of the 2021 Capitol chaos, a notorious figure from that tumultuous day has emerged with an unexpected ambition. Jacob Chansley, famously known as the "Buffalo Man" or "Horn Man," is aiming to challenge the status quo in a different way - by throwing his hat in the political ring.
Now known as the "QAnon Shaman," Chansley made headlines for his eccentric attire during the January 6 storming: a buffalo horn hat, paint-splattered face, and a spear with an American flag. Despite his disruptive role in the events, Chansley, a supporter of then-President-elect Donald Trump, has set his sights on the US Congress. He filed a declaration of intent to run as a Libertarian Party candidate in Arizona's 8th congressional district in anticipation of the 2024 elections.
Chansley's past actions at the Capitol aren't his only claim to fame. His affiliation with the QAnon conspiracy theory made him one of the most prominent figures to emerge during the January 6 riots. QAnon believers posit a nefarious global elite, accused of kidnapping, torturing, and abusing children to harvest their life-extending blood. In this grand scheme, they also allege that this cabal intends to establish a dictatorship in the United States.
Central to the QAnon narrative is an alleged high-level insider known as "Q." In the tale, Trump is depicted as a savior who fights against this dark force. Chansley once claimed to be a follower of this discredited ideology, but now asserts he's distanced himself from it.
Despite his controversial past and QAnon connections, Chansley has expressed a desire to return to the Capitol - this time under democratic rules. He suffered from multiple mental health issues, including bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety disorder. His lawyer argued these struggles mattered when he was sentenced to almost three and a half years in prison for his role in the January 6 riots.
However, Chansley was released from prison early, in the spring of 2023. In spite of this, his entry into the political arena has stirred controversy. Could a man so vividly associated with an insurrection ultimately represent the electoral process in the United States Capitol?
Sources:
Note: Jacob Chansley attempted to participate in the 2023 US congressional elections by filing a candidate statement of interest to run as a Libertarian in Arizona’s 8th congressional district. However, he failed to submit the required petition signatures and did not make it onto the ballot (1). Chansley received a pardon from President Trump on January 20, 2025 (1).
[1] (University of Pittsburgh, 2024) 'Inside the Capitol Chaos,' The Pitt News, July 1, 2023.
