The Pentagon has appointed Elias Irizarry, a man convicted for his role in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot, to a sensitive counter-terrorism position within the Department of Defense. Irizarry, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour charge for entering a restricted building, now works in the special operations and low intensity conflict office, which manages highly classified military operations.
According to the Washington Post, which first reported the story, Irizarry was 19 at the time of the riot and was pictured wearing a pro-Trump hat and holding a metal pole. He later expressed regret and apologised in court, but the judge criticised him for failing to stop the violence. Irizarry has since graduated from the Citadel military academy and ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the South Carolina state legislature.
Pentagon officials have voiced dismay over the appointment, with one anonymous source telling the Washington Post that placing someone so junior and with a checkered background into a sensitive portfolio raises serious questions. The team Irizarry joins handles counter-terrorism, embassy security, personnel recovery, and hostage rescue.
Joel Valdez, the Pentagon's acting press secretary, defended the appointment, calling Irizarry a qualified and patriotic young professional. Valdez criticised the Washington Post for its reporting, accusing the newspaper of endangering national security. Irizarry was sentenced to 14 days in jail for his role in the riot, which resulted in five deaths and several police suicides.
