The J6 Rioter Now Working at the Pentagon Elias Irizarry, who participated in the January 6th Capitol riot and was convicted of trespassing, has been hired by the Department of Defense’s Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict office, a position requiring top-secret clearance. This hiring is presented as part of a concerning trend within the Trump administration, where individuals involved in the January 6th events are pardoned and given government positions. Concerns are raised about the security clearance process and the message sent when individuals with a history of attacking the government are employed in sensitive roles.

• Elias Irizarry, a participant in the January 6th Capitol riot, has been hired by the Department of Defense.
• Irizarry pleaded guilty to trespassing and was sentenced to 14 days in jail, but was later pardoned.
• His new role requires top-secret security clearance, raising concerns about vetting processes.
• The article suggests this hiring is part of a trend where individuals involved in the January 6th events are pardoned and given government positions.
• Another example cited is Jared Wise, who encouraged violence on Jan 6th and was employed by the Department of Justice.
• The article questions whether loyalty to the administration has become the primary qualification for national security jobs.