{"id":1156,"date":"2026-05-16T10:39:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T10:39:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/?p=1156"},"modified":"2026-05-16T10:40:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T10:40:00","slug":"at-least-five-people-pardoned-by-trump-for-capitol-attack-accused-of-new-crimes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/?p=1156","title":{"rendered":"At least five people pardoned by Trump for Capitol attack accused of new crimes"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2zxs1v\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"4af42435-70d1-4303-8081-f4521f69e975\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A crowd pushes toward an arched entrance of the US Capitol amid smoke or tear gas\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/a7548df2fd1b1cca2da3cb1f8d91917345ae1e40\/0_0_7000_4669\/master\/7000.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"310.15500000000003\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol in 2021.<\/span> Photograph: Brent Stirton\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"4af42435-70d1-4303-8081-f4521f69e975\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol in 2021.<\/span> Photograph: Brent Stirton\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1aqe7zu\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">At least five people pardoned by Trump for Capitol attack accused of new crimes<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>Ryan Nichols is the latest such person to face charges after he allegedly brandished a gun during an argument<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-kn9unn\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The number of president\u2019s supporters accused of committing new crimes after Donald Trump pardoned them for their roles in the 6 January 2021 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/us-capitol-breach\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">US Capitol attack<\/a> recently increased to at least five.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Ryan Nichols, 35, became the latest such Capitol attacker on 10 May, when authorities in Harleton, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/texas\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Texas<\/a>, say he threateningly displayed a handgun to a person with whom he was arguing in a church parking lot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Nichols in November 2023 had pleaded guilty in connection with the insurrection at the Capitol from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/donaldtrump\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Trump<\/a> supporters after his first presidency ended in defeat to Joe Biden after the 2020 election. Among other things, he acknowledged attacking officers with pepper spray and making a video during the riot in which he said, \u201cIt\u2019s going to be violent and \u2026 if you are asking, \u2018Is Ryan Nichols going to bring violence? Yes, Ryan Nichols is going to bring violence.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A federal judge later sentenced Nichols to five years and three months in prison. But Nichols was freed early when he was unconditionally <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2025\/jan\/20\/trump-executive-orders-jan-6-pardons\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">pardoned<\/a> along with 1,500 other participants on the first day of Trump\u2019s second presidency in January 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Then, on 11 May, the sheriff\u2019s office of Texas\u2019 Harrison county \u2013 which includes Harleton \u2013 said its deputies encountered Nichols one day earlier while responding to a complaint about \u201ca person reaching for a firearm during a dispute outside the church\u201d. Investigators learned Nichols had confronted someone in the church\u2019s parking lot and continued doing so even after that person tried to leave, a sheriff\u2019s office statement <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/HarrisonCOSheriff\/posts\/pfbid0QNJQoz7oXnmA8pf6X3US7STk4S8tLRXFjhzxmXsAGGwazPbhhaZheioKAbuhA18sl\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The alleged victim reported turning away from the confrontation and trying to usher his family towards their car while asking Nichols to go away. The victim alleged that he eventually turned around to face Nichols, who then raised his shirt up, showed a gun and wrapped his hand around the weapon\u2019s grip.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe victim advised that he was in fear for his life due to this action,\u201d and deputies arrested Nichols on a count of deadly conduct, the sheriff\u2019s office said in its statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He was also booked on unrelated warrants alleging harassment. County jail records show Nichols was released two days later on bond in the amount of $8,000.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Nichols in April 2025 declared his intent to run for a seat in Congress. However, as the Texas news outlet KLTV <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kltv.com\/2025\/04\/11\/pardoned-jan-6-protester-ryan-nichols-vacates-run-us-congress\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">reported<\/a>, Nichols later announced he was withdrawing from the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cMy heart is in the right place,\u201d he said at the time. \u201cBut I do not have the ability to properly lead this country.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensforethics.org\/reports-investigations\/crew-reports\/at-least-33-pardoned-insurrectionists-face-other-criminal-charges-but-many-are-now-going-free\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">database<\/a> maintained by the non-profit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (Crew) first published in December listed more than 30 people who attacked the Capitol who were pardoned by Trump, but face criminal charges in other cases.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Of those on that list prior to Nichols\u2019 arrest, four had been accused of crimes reported after the Republican president pardoned them, according to Crew.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">One of those four was Christopher Moynihan, who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/feb\/06\/january-6-rioter-hakeem-jeffries\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">pleaded guilty<\/a> in February in New York to a harassment charge over threats to kill Hakeem Jeffries, the US House Democratic leader. Moynihan was later <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news10.com\/news\/crime\/dutchess-co-man-admits-to-harassment-for-threatening-congress-member\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">sentenced<\/a> to three years\u2019 probation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And another from that group was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/10\/pardoned-january-6-rioter-sentenced-virginia-burglary\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Zachary Alam<\/a>, who was sentenced on 7 May to seven years in prison after a jury convicted him of committing a burglary in Virginia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1rrvs2w\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-capitol-breach\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US Capitol attack<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/donaldtrump\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Donald Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/texas\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Texas<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-crime\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US crime<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-politics\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US politics<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=At%20least%20five%20people%20pardoned%20by%20Trump%20for%20Capitol%20attack%20accused%20of%20new%20crimes&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/16\/trump-capitol-attack-supporters-new-crimes?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fmay%2F16%2Ftrump-capitol-attack-supporters-new-crimes&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/may\/16\/trump-capitol-attack-supporters-new-crimes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1h2hraq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol in 2021.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1157,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1156","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1156"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1156\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1158,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1156\/revisions\/1158"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}