Jason Riddle | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jason Daniel Riddle New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Education | Naugatuck Valley Community College (Associate degree) Southern Connecticut State University (Bachelor's degree) |
| Occupations |
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| Known for |
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| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations | Republican (formerly) |
| Criminal status | Released |
| Criminal penalty |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 2006–2010 |
Jason Daniel Riddle is an AmericanUnited States Navy veteran and a formersupporter of Donald Trump known for his participation in theJanuary 6 United States Capitol attack, as well as subsequently refusing afederal pardon fromU.S. PresidentDonald Trump.
During the Capitol riot, Riddle entered the office of theParliamentarian of the United States Senate, where he stole several items, including a bottle of wine, a book, and a football. He was later arrested and pleaded guilty to his charges, receiving a sentence of 90 days in prison and three years ofprobation. He was also ordered to pay more than $750 inrestitution.
Despite his wishes, Riddle was pardoned, along with nearly every other participant in the Capitol riot, on the first day of thesecond presidency of Donald Trump. The following day, Riddle sent theUnited States Department of Justice an email rejecting his pardon.
Riddle was born inNew Haven, Connecticut. He earned anassociate degree fromNaugatuck Valley Community College in 2014 and abachelor's degree fromSouthern Connecticut State University in 2016.[1]
Riddle served in theUnited States Navy from 2006 to 2010.[1] Prior to the Capitol riot, he was apostal worker and formercorrectional officer.[2] As of January 2025, Riddle was working as a server at a restaurant inConcord, New Hampshire.[3][4]
On January 6, 2021, Riddle participated in theJanuary 6 United States Capitol attack inWashington, D.C., an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the2021 United States Electoral College vote count certifyingJoe Biden's victory in the2020 United States presidential election. According to Riddle, he arrived near theWashington Monument around 12:05 p.m. with two friends viaUber. Riddle advanced to theUnited States Capitol, though both of his friends left to get food. As people begin breaching the Capitol, Riddle stopped on a small grassy patch to the left side of the front of the building, where he remained for approximately half an hour, taking pictures and making phone calls.[5]
Upon seeing Trump flags inside the Capitol, Riddle entered along with numerous others, witnessing rioters destroy items including printers and computers. Riddle walked into the office of theParliamentarian of the United States Senate, which he stayed in for almost four and a half minutes; during this time, he found an open bottle of wine and poured a glass to drink before being asked by a police officer to leave the office. He remained in the Capitol for around half an hour before leaving. Riddle also took a book belonging to the parliamentarian, which he subsequently sold for $40. Furthermore, Riddle stole aFox News football from the office, though tossed it aside as he exited the Capitol.[5]
In an interview withNBC10 Boston, Riddle stated that he "poured a glass of wine and watched it all unfold". He condemned the rioters committing violent acts, stating that "[t]hosepsychopaths going around breaking things and hurting people can rot in hell". Riddle also provided photos and videos of himself and other people inside and outside of the Capitol to NBC10 Boston.[5]
On January 22, 2021, Riddle's residence inKeene, New Hampshire, was searched by theFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Riddle agreed to an interview with FBI agents, in which he admitted to deleting some messages, photos, and videos of his trip to D.C. on his phone.[5]
Riddle was arrested inBedford, New Hampshire, on February 8, 2021.[6] At the time of his arrest, Riddle stated that he was an "obsessor" ofU.S. PresidentDonald Trump.[7]
Riddle was charged with knowingly entering a restricted building, violent entry anddisorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, andtheft of government property.[8][9] On April 20, 2021, Riddle pleaded not guilty to all charges. On November 18, 2021, he entered aplea agreement, pleading guilty to charges of theft of government property and parading, demonstrating, orpicketing in a Capitol building,[3] bothmisdemeanors.[10] On April 4, 2022, Riddle was sentenced to 90 days in jail followed by three year ofprobation, including 60 hours ofcommunity service, and $754 inrestitution.[6] His lawyers had asked for 30 months of probation followed by community service.[11]
After announcing his candidacy forNew Hampshire's 2nd congressional district, Riddle wrote an article forThe Keene Sentinel in which he apologized toNew Hampshire residents for the Capitol attack being unsuccessful, stating: "I'm sorry our insurrection failed, hopefully it goes better next time."[12]
In an interview withNew Hampshire Public Radio, Riddle stated that he stopped supporting Trump shortly after his release from prison, when Trump had beenindicted for falsifying business records and encouragedhis supporters to protest despite the events of January 6.[13][14] On the first day ofhis second presidency, Trumppardoned Riddle, despite the veteran declining one.[15] On January 23, 2025, Riddle sent theUnited States Department of Justice an email rejecting his pardon.[16]
According to Riddle, he was struggling withalcoholism at the time of the Capitol riot, and part of his probation included mandatory alcoholic treatment.[17] Riddle toldABC News: "I am guilty of the crimes I have committed and accept the consequences. It is thanks to those consequences I now have a happy and fruitful existence." He also expressed resentment toward Trump, stating: "I don't need to obsess over anarcissistic bully to feel better about myself. Trump can shove his pardon up his ass."[7][18] Riddle further added that both he and Trump deserved to go to prison for their roles in the Capitol attack.[19] The office ofDemocraticSenatorMaggie Hassan reached out to the federal pardon office on Riddle's behalf.[20][21]
Although Riddle was aRepublican,[4] he voted forKamala Harris in the2024 United States presidential election[3] and donated toher campaign.[22] Riddle is now a registered Democrat.[23]
In an October 2025op-ed for theNew Hampshire Union Leader, Riddle criticized the second Trump administration, including itstargeting of Trump's political opponents.[24]
Riddle was an unsuccessful candidate to represent New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district in theUnited States House of Representatives in2022 and2024.[22] He placed ninth in theRepublican primary on September 10, 2024, receiving 1.4% of the vote.[1] In aBallotpedia survey, Riddle described himself as a "recently released January 6thpolitical prisoner" and identifiedJesus as his onlyendorsement.[25] Riddle stated that he intended to run against Democratic incumbentAnnie Kuster, initially believing her to be astate representative.[26] Upon being told that Kuster was a member ofCongress, Riddle stated: "Oh, well, I guess I have to run for that then."[27] Kuster ultimately did not run for re-election.[25]
