The Pentagon has appointed Elias Irizarry, a rioter convicted for his role in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol insurrection, to a sensitive national security position dealing with counter-terrorism. The appointment has sparked alarm among Pentagon officials, who raised concerns about his past record.
Irizarry, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for entering and remaining at a restricted building, now works in the Department of Defense's special operations and low intensity conflict office, which manages highly classified military operations. The Washington Post first reported the story, publishing a photo of Irizarry wearing a pro-Trump hat and holding what appeared to be a metal pole during the riot.
At the time of the attack, Irizarry was 19 and a student at the Citadel military academy. He later graduated in 2024 after being readmitted. In court, he expressed regret and apologised, but the judge criticised him for failing to stop the violence. He was sentenced to 14 days in jail.
Irizarry's role is attached to a counter-terrorism and irregular warfare team of about 40 people, covering embassy security, personnel recovery, and hostage rescue. One anonymous source told the Post that placing someone so junior and with such a background in a sensitive portfolio raises serious questions for leadership.
Pentagon acting press secretary Joel Valdez defended the appointment, calling Irizarry a 'qualified, patriotic young professional' and attacking the Washington Post for its reporting. Irizarry had previously run unsuccessfully for a seat in the South Carolina state legislature in a 2024 Republican primary.
