Several outlets report that the Trump administration has hired Elias Irizarry, a participant in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, for a sensitive position within the Department of Defense. Irizarry was 19 during the events and later faced legal proceedings related to Jan. 6. In 2023, he pleaded guilty to a Jan. 6-related charge, according to multiple reports. The Pentagon role described by outlets is tied to special operations and low-intensity conflict matters and involves highly classified military operations and counterterrorism-related responsibilities.
Some reporting says Pentagon officials raised concerns internally about the appointment due to Irizarry’s criminal record, while other details focus on how the hiring came about and what the position oversees. The New York Times reports that it was not immediately clear who specifically made the decision to hire him. News coverage also notes that Irizarry later received a pardon by President Trump, though the reports focus primarily on the Pentagon hiring and the sensitivity of the office involved. The department’s internal and public responses are ongoing.
