Pardoned Jan. 6 rioter now helps lead DOJ’s weaponization probe
A former FBI agent charged in the Capitol riot is now helping lead a Justice Department group investigating alleged overreach in that very probe. Jared L. Wise, a former FBI agent indicted on felony charges related to the January 6 Capitol riot, now serves as a counselor and investigator in the Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group.
Wise was appointed by President Donald Trump shortly after receiving a full presidential pardon in January 2025 — a move that, according to ABC News, halted his federal prosecution mid-trial.
Wise reports to Ed Martin, the working group’s director and a longtime defender of Jan. 6 defendants. The White House reportedly considered Martin for a federal appointment, but his nomination to serve as U.S. attorney in Washington was never formally submitted amid concerns over his advocacy work.
What were the charges against Wise?
Wise was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2023 on two felony counts: civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, both felonies. He also faced four misdemeanors: unlawful entry into a restricted building, disorderly conduct, use of threatening or abusive language, and parading or demonstrating in a Capitol building, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C.
Body camera and surveillance footage captured Wise shouting “Kill ’em!” multiple times as rioters attacked police on the Upper West Terrace. He also compared officers to Nazi Gestapo agents, declaring “Shame on you!” and raising his arms in triumph after breaching the Capitol. Wise remained inside for roughly nine minutes before exiting through a broken window.
The charges were brought under 18 U.S.C. § 1752 for unlawfully entering a restricted building and disrupting government proceedings. The DOJ also charged him under 40 U.S.C. § 5104 for using threatening language and demonstrating inside the Capitol.
What is the Weaponization Working Group?
Launched in February 2025, the Weaponization Working Group was created to investigate alleged prosecutorial overreach related to the January 6 Capitol attack and other politically sensitive cases.
According to a memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi, the group’s mandate includes reviewing “improper investigative tactics and unethical prosecutions,” including those led by Special Counsel Jack Smith and various state and local officials in Trump-related cases.
The group has not released details about its internal staff or ongoing investigations. Still, it aligns closely with Trump’s broader effort to challenge the legitimacy of Jan. 6 prosecutions and redirect accountability toward DOJ leadership.
What is Wise’s background?
Wise joined the FBI in 2004 and previously worked on public corruption and counterterrorism cases in Washington and New York. He was briefly detailed overseas, including in Israel and Libya, before leaving the bureau in 2017. Sources familiar with his exit cited dissatisfaction with his performance.
He later joined the conservative group Project Veritas, where, according to The New York Times, he used the codename “Benghazi” and trained under former British intelligence officer Richard Seddon. Supervisors assigned Wise to undercover operations targeting labor unions and Democratic campaigns.
Why is the appointment controversial?
Wise’s appointment has drawn scrutiny due to his direct involvement in the Capitol riot and the political context of his pardon. The Justice Department has not commented publicly on his hiring.
According to The New York Times, Ed Martin expressed pride in working with Wise and described him as a victim of the same federal overreach the group was created to examine.
Critics argue Wise’s role undermines the credibility and neutrality of the working group, raising broader concerns about how Trump allies are reshaping the Justice Department’s approach to accountability.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
