Shane Jenkins, seen right here in police bodycam footage from Jan. 6, 2021, was convicted of a number of expenses in reference to the Capitol riot, together with assaulting police. Months after receiving a pardon from President Trump, Jenkins visited the White Home together with one other former Jan. 6 defendant.
U.S. Division of Justice
disguise caption
toggle caption
U.S. Division of Justice
Simply months after being freed by a pardon from President Trump, two males convicted of felonies for his or her roles within the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol scored visits to the safe grounds of the White Home.
Throughout their go to, the boys took turns posing for footage and movies behind the lectern within the White Home press briefing room.
“Thanks a lot President Trump, in the event you’re seeing this, we respect you setting us free,” stated Shane Jenkins, in a video he posted on social media.
Jenkins, who had a felony report earlier than Jan. 6, was sentenced to seven years in jail for assaulting police defending the Capitol and utilizing a metallic tomahawk to attempt to smash a window. The day after the assault, Jenkins wrote in a textual content message“I’ve homicide in my coronary heart and my head.”
“By no means would have thought in only some brief months I’d be going from the large home to the White Home,” stated one other pardoned Jan. 6 defendant, Dominic Field, who additionally recorded a video from the briefing room.
Dominic Field appeared exuberant as he recorded movies for social media within the White Home press briefing room this month. Field was convicted of felony civil dysfunction and different nonviolent misdemeanors in reference to Jan. 6. His case was dismissed by the Justice Division earlier than he was sentenced.
Screenshot by NPR/@DomFreePress
disguise caption
toggle caption
Screenshot by NPR/@DomFreePress
Field was convicted of felony civil dysfunction and nonviolent misdemeanor expenses associated to the Capitol breach. He had not but been sentenced when Trump returned to workplace and issued mass clemency to all Jan. 6 defendants, together with probably the most violent offenders. Individually, in 2023, Field was arrested in Florida on a DUI cost. In accordance with the police reportwhereas behind the squad automobile, Field used “varied racial slurs,” together with the n-word. In a message to NPR, Field stated , “I’m not racist,” and famous that he didn’t use “the onerous r” when he stated the n-word.
The circumstances of the go to to the White Home have been considerably murky.
“A person inside the Trump Administration prolonged the invitation,” Field instructed NPR, “however I’m not at liberty to reveal their id.”
In a message to NPR, Jenkins stated he was additionally “not at liberty to debate” how the tour was organized, including, “however in fact J6 Hostages have been wronged and shall be welcomed to the White Home.”
The 2 males stated that, along with the press briefing room, they noticed the Oval Workplace and the Roosevelt Room, although they didn’t put up any movies or pictures of these areas.
The White Home didn’t reply to NPR’s messages looking for remark.
Since taking workplace, Trump has continued to embrace Jan. 6 defendants as “political prisoners.”
“I pardoned J6 individuals who have been assaulted by our authorities,” Trump instructed reporters in February. The Division of Justice estimated that 140 law enforcement officials have been injured within the assault.
The Trump administration can also be at the moment negotiating a settlement in a wrongful demise lawsuit filed by the property of Ashli Babbitt, the rioter who was shot and killed by a Capitol police officer whereas attempting to climb by a damaged window.
Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger condemned the information of the pending settlement.
“I’m extraordinarily disillusioned and disagree with this settlement,” Manger stated in a written assertion. “In 2021, the DOJ investigation decided no wrongdoing by police. This settlement sends a chilling message to regulation enforcement nationwide, particularly to these with a protecting mission like ours.”
Enrique Tarrio, the previous chief of the far-right extremist group the Proud Boys, additionally stated he briefly met with Trump whereas visiting the president’s Mar-a-Lago resort earlier this month. Tarrio was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his position within the Jan. 6 assault and sentenced to 22 years in jail.
In accordance with Tarrio, Trump known as him over whereas he was eating on the resort.
“I thanked him for giving me my life again,” Tarrio wrote on social media. “He replied with…I Love You guys.”
There isn’t any indication that Jenkins or Field met with Trump once they visited White Home. (Trump spent many of the day at his golf membership in Virginia, in accordance with his public schedule.) Each males have declined to reveal the exact particulars of their go to.
“Thanks to our buddy, who shall go unnamed, for giving us that chance,” Field stated on a video stay stream.
The go to occurred on a Sunday – exterior of the common public tour schedule, which usually runs from Tuesday by Saturday, in accordance with the White Home web site. In a break with the Biden administration, the Trump White Home has stopped releasing customer logs.
Jenkins, who additionally had a felony report earlier than Jan. 6, smiled and posed for pictures and movies behind the lectern within the White Home press briefing room. Months earlier, he was serving a seven-year jail sentence for his actions through the Capitol riot.
Screenshot by NPR/TheRealJ6Shane
disguise caption
toggle caption
Screenshot by NPR/TheRealJ6Shane
Jenkins’ look on the White Home was particularly placing given his convictions for assaulting police on Jan. 6, and his in depth felony report, which stretches again to the late Nineteen Nineties.
“I used to be out and in of jail from 23 on,” Jenkins stated at his sentencing listening to.
Prosecutors stated Jenkins assaulted law enforcement officials on Jan. 6 utilizing 9 completely different objects, together with “a flagpole, a metallic strolling stick, and a damaged picket pole with a spear-like level on one finish which he launched like a javelin.” At his trial, prosecutors identified his giant neck tattoo studying “MAMA TRIED.”
In his protection, Jenkins’ lawyer stated he was a sufferer of “the toxic propaganda of a former president.”
“(Trump) cares nothing about his supporters, nor anybody else,” protection legal professional Dennis Boyle stated in closing arguments. “To him they’re simply cannonfodders (sic) to serve his wants and his wants alone.”
Jenkins instructed NPR he disagrees along with his lawyer’s remarks. He maintains that he didn’t injure any law enforcement officials on Jan. 6, and stated his actions have been justified.
“We have been standing not for Trump however in opposition to a stolen election,” Jenkins stated in a message. “It was my obligation as a citizen to object. Within the course of we have been assaulted and responded in type.”
“I am grateful nobody was harm by what I did however am I sorry, f(***) no!” he wrote.
Jenkins’ authorized troubles started lengthy earlier than Jan. 6. In accordance with court docket paperwork filed by the Division of Justice, he had prior convictions for assault, resisting arrest, drug possession, making a “terroristic menace” and driving whereas intoxicated.
When he was 20 years outdated, Jenkins shot and killed his stepfather. At his sentencing, he testified that he acted in self protection and homicide expenses in opposition to him have been in the end dropped.
Like Jenkins, Field has additionally confronted felony expenses unrelated to Jan. 6.
In Aug. 2023, whereas awaiting trial for his Capitol riot case, Field was arrested in Florida for driving underneath the affect. In accordance with the police reporta witness noticed Field again right into a pole and cross out. When officers arrived, they discovered Field slurring his speech, together with an open can of Pure Mild beer and a bottle of Skol vodka within the automobile.
NPR requested Field concerning the allegation that he used “varied racial slurs” after the arrest.
“At one level, in an admittedly & regrettably intoxicated state after being woken up whereas behind the squad automobile I stated, ‘what’s up n(****)?'” Field wrote. “I’m not a racist, have dated girls of all racial backgrounds & the vast majority of my associates in each Jacksonville & Savannah are black.”
Following the DUI arrest, Field was jailed for violating the phrases of his pretrial supervision orders within the Jan. 6 case. He later pleaded no contest to the Florida DUI cost, and stated he’s “actively working a program of restoration” from substance abuse.
In an announcement to NPR, the Secret Service stated it adopted normal protocol once they allowed Jenkins and Field to enter the White Home.
“Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Field have been topic to a rigorous safety screening previous to their entry being permitted,” the company wrote. “In all instances, the U.S. Secret Service works together with White Home employees to assessment pertinent customer data and develop plans to make sure a secure and safe go to for all.”
“Secret Service knew who we have been and so they have been cool,” Field stated in a livestream video. “They weren’t us like we have been suspicious.”
