Elias Irizarry from Jan. 6 Riot to Defense Department Role

By June 4, 2026, a man previously involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, Elias Irizarry, holds a sensitive position within the Defense Department. At the time of the riot, he was 19 years old. A defense official confirmed his role to CBS News.

Elias Irizarry serves as a special assistant to Derrick Anderson, Assistant Secretary of Defense. Anderson oversees policies related to special operations and irregular warfare. This position grants Irizarry a top-secret security clearance. His tenure at the Defense Department began early last year.

Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez acknowledged Irizarry’s service in a post, describing him as a “qualified, patriotic young professional.” CBS News is awaiting comments from Irizarry’s attorney.

In January 2021, federal prosecutors outlined Irizarry’s actions during the Capitol riot. Then a student at the Citadel Military College of South Carolina, Irizarry traveled to Washington with a friend and an online contact. He attended former President Trump’s rally and proceeded to the Capitol.

Irizarry entered the Capitol through a broken window and remained inside for 27 minutes. He carried a metal pole and entered various rooms. His lawyer argued he was searching for his acquaintance. He pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building, receiving a 14-day incarceration sentence. Mr. Trump later pardoned him at the onset of his second term.

During his 2023 sentencing, Irizarry expressed profound regret. He apologized to officers present during the riot, acknowledging that his actions brought shame. He described the incident as a “disgrace,” affirming his commitment to redemption and rectification.

Irizarry’s federal public defender emphasized the contrast between him and other riot defendants. He praised Irizarry’s intelligence and genuine remorse. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan acknowledged the difficulty of sentencing Irizarry due to his age and commendable background. She offered to provide a recommendation letter should he consider reapplying to the Citadel, where he faced discharge.

“Everyone makes mistakes,” Chutkan noted during the hearing. “Yours was significant, but life presents us with unpredictable paths. You are young and have the opportunity to create a remarkable future. May you succeed.”