By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-06 19:37:06 | Updated at 2025-01-10 01:29:02
3 days ago
Four years after the riot at the US capitol, many of the people who stormed the building say they don't regret their actions.
Dozens of Americans served time in prison after what was the largest single investigation the Justice Department has ever undertaken, leading to arrests in all 50 states.
But many of those who stormed the Capitol in support of Donald Trump say they were the victims of a conspiracy between the media and federal government.
Eric Clark, 48, told The New York Times that it was his own daughter who turned him into police after seeing him at the Capitol riot on the news.
Clark was sentenced to five months in prison after he entered the capitol and refused to leave as he protested what he believed was a stolen presidential election.
Just months before, Clark had turned his life around, getting sober after battling homelessness.
Eric Clark said that it was his own daughter who turned him into police after seeing him at the Capitol riot on the news
Clark was sentenced to five months in prison after he entered the capitol and refused to leave as he protested what he believed was a stolen presidential election
He's now starting to rebuild his life again, and does not blame his daughter for turning him in.
'Instead of being mad at her... I’ve chosen to accept that she has her viewpoint and I have mine,' Clark said.
Real estate broker and influencer Jenna Ryan, 54, served 60 days in prison over her role in the capitol riot, but she argues she was treated unfairly because of her 'public profile.
Moreover, she told the NYT the saga allowed her to fulfill her 'lifelong goal of being a writer and a speaker.'
She wrote a book titled Storming the Capitol: My Truth About January 6th.'
Ryan, a Texas resident, found herself at the capitol after taking a private jet to DC for a date with a man who dumped her hours later.
Before the start of her trial, Ryan responded to a tweet warning her she was destined for custody, saying: 'Definitely not going to jail.
Real estate broker and influencer Jenna Ryan, 54, served 60 days in prison over her role in the capitol riot
Ryan, a Texas resident, found herself at the capitol after taking a private jet to DC for a date with a man who dumped her hours later
'Sorry I have blonde hair white skin a great job a great future and I'm not going to jail. Sorry to rain on your hater parade. I did nothing wrong.'
Meanwhile one of the most recognizable faces from the capitol riot, known as the 'QAnon Shaman,' gave a graveling apology during his sentencing but has since taken it back.
Jacob Chansley is also rebuilding his life after being sentenced to 41 months in prison - one of the harshest sentences handed out in the case.
He told the NYT he was the victim of 'tyranny,' and claims January 6 was a 'setup' by the media and federal government.
Chansley, 37, said his life in Phoenix as an artist remains the same as before his prison time, but now he 'gets more interviews.'
The legacy of January 6 hangs over the proceedings on Monday as lawmakers arrived to certify the new president under the tightest national security level possible.
Layers of tall black fencing flanked the Capitol complex in a stark reminder of what happened four years ago, when a MAGA mob entered the capitol in what became the most gruesome attack on the seat of American democracy in 200 years.
Jacob Chansley is also rebuilding his life after being sentenced to 41 months in prison - one of the harshest sentences handed out in the case. He claims he is the victim of injustice
Jacob Chansley, one of the most recognizable faces from the capitol riot, known as the 'QAnon Shaman'
No violence, protests or even procedural objections in Congress are expected this time. Republicans from the highest levels of power who challenged the 2020 election results when Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden have no qualms this year after he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris.
And Democrats frustrated by Trump’s 312-226 Electoral College victory nevertheless accept the choice of the American voters. Even the snowstorm barreling down on the region wasn’t expected to interfere with Jan. 6, the day set by law to certify the vote.
