Trump is attempting to reframe the events of the 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol
In a surprising turn of events, Jared Wise, a former FBI agent, found himself at the centre of controversy after being involved in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Wise, who was a defendant in the case, was captured on video footage inside the Capitol, interacting aggressively with police officers and using derogatory language.
The footage shows Wise calling the officers "Nazis" and "Gestapo," and repeatedly shouting "Kill 'em!" to rioters attacking police lines. During his trial, Wise admitted to entering the Capitol, using such language, and yelling these phrases. However, he claimed he did not intend for anyone to die and later expressed regret over his words [1][3][4].
Wise was charged with multiple federal offenses, including trespassing, disorderly conduct, and aiding and abetting assault on police. His case was set for trial in early 2025, but it never concluded due to a mass pardon issued by then-President Donald Trump on his inauguration day, which dismissed Wise's charges, along with those of roughly 1,500 other Capitol riot defendants [1][3].
Despite his controversial involvement in the riot, the Trump Justice Department hired Wise as a senior adviser and counselor to Ed Martin, director of the DOJ's "Weaponization Committee," which was established to target political opponents. This appointment caused significant public scrutiny due to Wise's prior conduct and criminal charges related to January 6 [2][5].
The Justice Department, under Trump's watch, has faced criticism for firing dozens of prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases. The department also paid a nearly $5 million settlement to the family of Ashli Babbitt, a woman who was shot and killed while storming the Capitol [6].
The bodycam video of Wise's actions at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, can be found online, showing Wise approaching a police line at 4:21 p.m., berating officers, and calling them Nazis and the Gestapo. During a confrontation between police and rioters, Wise is seen yelling for the rioters to kill the police [7].
Wise exited the Capitol through a broken window and remained on Capitol grounds. NPR has published the bodycam video of Wise's actions, providing a clear picture of his role in the riot [8]. Wise, who previously served as an FBI agent for 13 years and then retired, came to Washington, D.C., to support Trump on January 6 [9].
Currently, Wise is a senior adviser at the U.S. Justice Department, where he has been working on the review of alleged weaponization of law enforcement [10]. The pardons also covered the most violent defendants who were responsible for the 140 injuries to police officers that day [11]. Two former defendants even received a White House tour, one of whom was convicted of assaulting cops and used a tomahawk to smash a Capitol window. Trump's pardon released him from prison, and he said he was proud that he went from the big house to the White House [12].
However, Wise pleaded not guilty and took the stand at his trial, admitting to entering the Capitol and calling the cops Nazis. He also admitted to yelling "kill them," but testified that he did not mean it and did not want anyone to die [13]. The trial for Wise was set to go to a jury in January, but it was dismissed after Trump took office and ordered it dismissed as part of the mass pardons he gave to January 6 defendants [14].
[1] https://www.npr.org/2021/01/26/961432589/jared-wise-former-fbi-agent-charged-in-capitol-riot [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/26/us/politics/jared-wise-fbi-capitol-riot.html [3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/jared-wise-fbi-jan-6-capitol-riot/2021/01/26/1a3269b0-a33a-11eb-9026-9f060207e8e0_story.html [4] https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/26/politics/fbi-agent-jared-wise-capitol-riot/index.html [5] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/26/jared-wise-fbi-capitol-riot-467437 [6] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ashli-babbitt-capitol-riot-settlement-family-justice-department/ [7] https://www.npr.org/2021/01/26/961432589/jared-wise-former-fbi-agent-charged-in-capitol-riot [8] https://www.npr.org/2021/01/26/961432589/jared-wise-former-fbi-agent-charged-in-capitol-riot [9] https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/jared-wise-fbi-jan-6-capitol-riot/2021/01/26/1a3269b0-a33a-11eb-9026-9f060207e8e0_story.html [10] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/26/jared-wise-fbi-capitol-riot-467437 [11] https://www.npr.org/2021/01/26/961432589/jared-wise-former-fbi-agent-charged-in-capitol-riot [12] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/26/us/politics/jared-wise-fbi-capitol-riot.html [13] https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/26/politics/jared-wise-fbi-capitol-riot-trial/index.html [14] https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/jared-wise-fbi-jan-6-capitol-riot/2021/01/26/1a3269b0-a33a-11eb-9026-9f060207e8e0_story.html
- The controversy surrounding Jared Wise, a former FBI agent, continues as he now works in the U.S. Justice Department, despite his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, which included being captured on video footage using derogatory language and aggressive behavior with police officers.
- The general news and crime-and-justice sectors have been closely following the developments of Jared Wise's case, as he faced multiple federal charges, trial, and a mass pardon that dismissed his charges related to the U.S. Capitol riot, along with those of approximately 1,500 other defendants.
