The J6 Rioter Now Working at the Pentagon
Elias Irizarry, a participant in the January 6 Capitol riot, is now employed at the Pentagon's Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict office. His hiring raises concerns about security clearance and the implications of employing individuals with a history of violent actions against the government. This trend reflects a broader pattern within the Trump administration of integrating January 6 defendants into government roles.
- ▪Elias Irizarry was convicted of trespassing during the January 6 Capitol riot.
- ▪He now works at the Pentagon, where he has access to sensitive national-security information.
- ▪Irizarry's hiring is part of a concerning trend of employing January 6 defendants in government positions.
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The Atlantic DailyThe J6 Rioter Now Working at the PentagonHis hiring is part of a dangerous trend in the Trump administration.By Will GottsegenElias Irizarry, highlighted in red, holding a metal pole in the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. (Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty.)June 5, 2026, 8:01 PM ET ShareSave This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.On January 6, 2021, 19-year-old Elias Irizarry was among the members of a violent mob that broke into the U.S. Capitol and attempted to overturn the recent presidential election.
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