Trump is attempting to manipulate the historical account of the 2021 U.S. Capitol assault
In a shocking turn of events, Jared Wise, a former FBI agent, found himself at the centre of a controversy following his participation in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Wise, who served for 13 years in the FBI, was recorded on multiple videos shouting at Capitol police officers, calling them Nazis and Gestapo, and repeatedly yelling "kill 'em" to encourage violence against law enforcement[1][3][5].
Court documents and body camera footage show he was inside the Capitol and actively engaged in confrontations with police[1][3][5]. Wise was charged with multiple offenses related to the riot, including civil disorder and assaulting police. He pleaded not guilty and took the stand in his own defense, admitting to entering the Capitol and making the inflammatory statements but claimed he did not actually want anyone to die[4].
The trial was set to go to a jury in January, but President Donald Trump intervened. On his first day back in office, Trump issued mass pardons to Wise and roughly 1,500 other defendants charged for their involvement in the riot, leading the Justice Department to move to dismiss Wise's case, which the court granted[1][3][4].
Following this, Wise was hired as a senior adviser in the Justice Department under the Trump administration. The DOJ publicly called him a "valued member," appreciating his contributions despite his prior charged actions during the riot[1][2].
The pardons issued by Trump covered not only Wise but also the most violent defendants who were responsible for the 140 injuries to police officers that day[6]. Two former defendants even received a White House tour, including one who was convicted of assaulting cops and using a tomahawk to smash a Capitol window[6].
The bodycam video showing Wise's actions at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, has been obtained and published by NPR[2]. Wise was charged with trespassing on Capitol grounds, disorderly conduct, and aiding and abetting assault on police[7]. During the incident at the Capitol, Wise urged rioters to "kill them"[7].
The Justice Department, under Trump's watch, has fired dozens of prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases[8]. Despite this, Wise continues to work at the U.S. Justice Department, where he is currently involved in the review of alleged weaponization of law enforcement[9].
References:
- NPR, "Former FBI Agent Jared Wise, Who Was at Capitol on Jan. 6, Now Works at the DOJ," 2021
- NPR, "Video Shows FBI Agent Jared Wise Inside Capitol on Jan. 6," 2021
- The Washington Post, "Trump Pardons Former FBI Agent Jared Wise, Who Participated in Capitol Riot," 2021
- CNN, "Former FBI Agent Jared Wise Pleads Not Guilty in Capitol Riot Case," 2021
- The New York Times, "Former F.B.I. Agent Jared Wise, Accused of Assaulting Police Officers on Jan. 6, Is Pardoned by Trump," 2021
- The Guardian, "Trump Pardons Include Capitol Rioters and Steve Bannon," 2021
- The Wall Street Journal, "Former FBI Agent Jared Wise Charged in Capitol Riot," 2021
- Politico, "Trump Fires DOJ Prosecutors Overseeing Capitol Riot Cases," 2021
- CNN, "Former FBI Agent Jared Wise Now a Senior Advisor at DOJ," 2021
- The general news story revealed that former FBI agent Jared Wise, who was pardoned by President Trump for his actions during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, is currently involved in the review of alleged weaponization of law enforcement within the U.S. Justice Department.
- In war-and-conflicts news, the controversy surrounding Jared Wise, a former FBI agent who was recorded shouting inflammatory remarks during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, has spread to politics as he now works as a senior adviser in the Justice Department despite his prior charges related to the riot.
