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Jason Riddle
Jason Daniel Riddle is an American United States Navy veteran and a former supporter of Donald Trump known for his participation in the January 6 United States Capitol attack, as well as subsequently refusing a pardon from President Donald Trump. During the riot, Riddle entered the office of the Parliamentarian of the United States Senate, where he stole several items, including a bottle of wine, a book, and a football. He was later arrested and pleaded guilty to his charges, receiving a sentence of 90 days in prison and three years of probation. He was also ordered to pay more than $750 in restitution. Despite his wishes, Riddle was pardoned, along with nearly every other participant in the Capitol riot, on the first day of the second presidency of Donald Trump. The following day, Riddle sent the United States Department of Justice an email rejecting his pardon. BiographyRiddle was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He earned an associate degree from Naugatuck Valley Community College in 2014 and a bachelor's degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 2016. Riddle served in the United States Navy from 2006 to 2010.[1] He is a server at a restaurant in Concord, New Hampshire.[2][3] Prior to the Capitol riot, he was a postal worker and former correctional officer.[4] January 6 United States Capitol attackRiddle was a participant in the January 6 United States Capitol attack. According to Riddle, he arrived near the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. around 12:05 p.m. with two friends via Uber. Riddle advanced to the United States Capitol, though both of his friends left to get food. As people begin breaching the Capitol, Riddle stopped on a small grassy patch to the left side of the front of the building, where he remained for approximately half an hour, taking pictures and making phone calls. Upon seeing Trump flags inside the Capitol, Riddle entered along with numerous others, witnessing rioters destroy items including printers and computers. Riddle walked into the office of the Parliamentarian of the United States Senate, which he stayed in for almost four and a half minutes; during this time, he found an open bottle of wine and poured a glass to drink before being asked by a police officer to leave the office. He remained in the Capitol for around half an hour before leaving. Riddle also took a book belonging to the parliamentarian, which he subsequently sold for $40. Furthermore, Riddle stole a Fox News football from the office, though tossed it aside as he exited the Capitol. In an interview with NBC10 Boston, Riddle stated that he "poured a glass of wine and watched it all unfold". He condemned the rioters committing violent acts, stating that "[t]hose psychopaths going around breaking things and hurting people can rot in hell". Riddle also provided photos and videos of himself and other people inside and outside of the Capitol to NBC10 Boston. On January 22, 2021, Riddle's residence in Keene, New Hampshire, was searched by the FBI. Riddle agreed to an interview with FBI agents, in which he admitted to deleting some messages, photos, and videos of his trip to D.C. on his phone.[5] Riddle was arrested in Bedford, New Hampshire, on February 8, 2021.[6] At the time of his arrest, Riddle stated that he was an "obsessor" of Trump's.[7] Riddle was charged with knowingly entering a restricted building, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and theft of government property.[8] On April 20, 2021, Riddle pleaded not guilty to all charges. On November 18, 2021, he entered a plea agreement, pleading guilty to charges of theft of government property and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building,[2] both misdemeanors.[9] On April 4, 2022, Riddle was sentenced to 90 days in jail followed by three year of probation, including 60 hours of community service, and $754 in restitution.[6] His lawyers had asked for 30 months of probation followed by community service.[10] AftermathIn an interview with New Hampshire Public Radio, Riddle stated that he stopped supporting Donald Trump shortly after his release from prison, when Trump had been indicted for falsifying business records and encouraged his supporters to protest despite the events of January 6.[11][12] On the first day of his second presidency, Trump pardoned Riddle, despite the veteran declining one.[11][13] On January 23, 2025, Riddle sent the United States Department of Justice an email rejecting his pardon.[14] According to Riddle, he was struggling with alcoholism at the time of the Capitol riot, and part of his probation included mandatory alcoholic treatment.[15] Riddle told ABC News: "I am guilty of the crimes I have committed and accept the consequences. It is thanks to those consequences I now have a happy and fruitful existence." He also expressed resentment toward Trump, stating: "I don't need to obsess over a narcissistic bully to feel better about myself. Trump can shove his pardon up his ass."[7] Although Riddle remains a Republican,[3] he voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 United States presidential election[2] and donated to her campaign.[16] Political activityRiddle was an unsuccessful candidate to represent New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives in 2022 and 2024.[16] He placed ninth in the Republican primary on September 10, 2024, receiving 1.4% of the vote.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, Riddle described himself as a "recently released January 6th political prisoner" and identified Jesus as his only endorsement.[17] Riddle stated that he intended to run against Democratic incumbent Annie Kuster, initially believing her to be a state representative.[18] Upon being told that Kuster was a member of Congress, Riddle stated: "Oh, well, I guess I have to run for that then."[19] Kuster ultimately did not run for re-election.[17] See also
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