Trump Picks Pardoned Capitol Rioter Who Encouraged Violence Against Police to Serve as DOJ Adviser

President Donald Trump appointed a Capitol rioter, who encouraged insurrectionists to "kill" police officers on January 6, as an adviser in the Department of Justice.

Jared L. Wise, a former FBI agent, will serve as the right-hand man to Ed Martin, director of the Weaponization Working Group, a task force Trump launched in February to investigate alleged abuses of the justice system by local and federal law enforcement, according to The New York Times. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a memo that the group will examine "improper investigative tactics and unethical prosecutions" stemming from the Justice Department's probe of the Capitol attack.

Wise was indicted in May 2023 on multiple charges, including felony counts of civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, along with four misdemeanors. According to the Department of Justice, he was caught on video telling Metropolitan Police officers, "I'm former law enforcement. You're disgusting. You are the Nazi. You are the Gestapo. You can't see it. Shame on you!"

When the mob turned violent, and officers were knocked to the ground nearby, Wise repeatedly urged rioters to "Kill 'em!" and shouted, "Yeah, f--k them! Yeah, kill 'em!" Prosecutors say he then entered the Capitol wearing a face mask and backpack before escaping through a window.

On Trump's first day back in office, Wise, along with more than 1,500 other insurrectionists, had his case dismissed. He especially benefited from the pardon as he was in the middle of his criminal trial in federal court in Washington.

Wise will work under Martin, who also breached the Capitol on January 6, a day he described as one marked by "faith and joy," the NYT reported. Martin raised funds for convicted rioters and even defended several in court, actions that ultimately derailed his nomination for the Senate-confirmed role of U.S. attorney in Washington. After withdrawing his name, Trump appointed him in May to lead the Weaponization Working Group.