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A former Jan. 6 Capitol riot defendant who was later pardoned by President Donald Trump has been appointed to a Pentagon office responsible for overseeing some of the military’s most sensitive operations, according to multiple reports.
Elias Irizarry, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge stemming from his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, now serves in the Defense Department’s Office of Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. The office oversees issues including counterterrorism, irregular warfare and other special operations missions.
The appointment has raised concerns among some current and former Defense Department officials, who questioned whether someone convicted in connection with the Capitol attack should hold a position requiring access to highly sensitive information.
Pentagon officials defended the decision, with acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez describing Irizarry as a “qualified, patriotic young professional” and saying the department is proud to have him serving as a political appointee.
At the time of the Capitol riot, Irizarry was a student at The Citadel, a military college in South Carolina. He later pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building and was sentenced to 14 days in jail.
During his sentencing, Irizarry expressed regret for his actions and condemned the events of Jan. 6.
“I am ashamed because I will always be a part of this disgrace,” he told the court in 2023. “January 6th represented something truly horrible.”
After serving his sentence, Irizarry returned to The Citadel and graduated in 2024. He later ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
Irizarry was among the roughly 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants pardoned by Trump after returning to office in 2025.
The appointment comes as the Trump administration continues to place political allies and supporters in key government positions, while critics argue the move raises questions about vetting standards for sensitive national security roles.
Supporters, however, point to Irizarry’s completed sentence, subsequent pardon and public expressions of remorse as evidence that he deserves an opportunity to move forward with his career.
The Defense Department has not disclosed who selected Irizarry for the position or whether his appointment required a security clearance review.
