Pentagon Hires Convicted January 6 Rioter for Highly Sensitive Counterterrorism Job — He Has Zero Counterterrorism Experience
The Trump administration hired 24-year-old Elias Irizarry — who pleaded guilty to entering the Capitol through a broken window on January 6, was sentenced to 14 days in jail, and then pardoned by Trump — to work in the Pentagon's Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict office, specifically the irregular warfare and counterterrorism section. The unit handles hostage rescue, embassy security, and personnel recovery. Every position requires a top-secret security clearance. Irizarry has zero counterterrorism experience. His LinkedIn lists "Patriot" as his profession. He ran for state office and lost. The Pentagon called him "a qualified, patriotic young professional." Staff internally question how someone convicted of assaulting American democracy can be trusted to defend it.