At least five individuals who were pardoned by former President Donald Trump for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol have been accused of committing new offenses, according to recent reports. The latest case involves Ryan Nichols, a 35-year-old Texas man who was arrested on May 10 after allegedly displaying a handgun during a dispute in a church parking lot in Harleton, Texas.
Background of the Pardons
Trump granted unconditional pardons to approximately 1,500 participants in the Capitol attack on the first day of his second presidency in January 2025. Among them was Nichols, who had pleaded guilty in November 2023 to assaulting officers with pepper spray and making a video threatening violence. He was originally sentenced to five years and three months in prison but was released early after the pardon.
New Allegations Against Nichols
According to the Harrison County Sheriff's Office in Texas, deputies responded to a complaint about a person reaching for a firearm during an argument outside a church. The alleged victim stated that Nichols confronted him in the parking lot and continued to do so even after the victim tried to leave. When the victim turned around, Nichols lifted his shirt, revealed a gun, and placed his hand on the weapon's grip. The victim reported fearing for his life. Nichols was arrested on a charge of deadly conduct and also booked on unrelated harassment warrants. He was released two days later on an $8,000 bond.
Notably, Nichols had announced his intention to run for a U.S. congressional seat in April 2025 but later withdrew, stating, "My heart is in the right place, but I do not have the ability to properly lead this country."
Other Pardoned Individuals Facing Charges
A database maintained by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) lists over 30 Capitol attackers who were pardoned but now face criminal charges in other cases. Prior to Nichols' arrest, four of them were accused of crimes after receiving pardons. One example is Christopher Moynihan, who pleaded guilty in February to a harassment charge for threatening to kill House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries; he received three years' probation. Another is Zachary Alam, who was sentenced on May 7 to seven years in prison for burglary in Virginia.
