The Capitol Riots of January 6, prompted by former President Donald Trump's lies about the 2020 election, will be remembered for decades in American history.
The unprecedented siege by domestic terrorists resulted in the deaths of at least five people, the destruction of untold amounts of Capitol property, and the endangerment of every lawmaker at the Capitol that day.
One of the most wrenching images from the calamity was that of a shirtless man in horned headgear parading through the Senate floor where Vice President Mike Pence—whom the rioters sought to execute—had been just minutes before.
More information emerged in the days following the insurrection, including the identity of the horned rioter: failed actor Jacob Chansley, known in pro-Trump circles as the QAnon Shaman—a frequent presence at gatherings in support of the former President.
Chansley was soon arrested, later refusing to eat the meals he was served in prison because of a strictly organic food diet. He expressed disappointment that Trump wouldn't pardon him, claiming the former President was the one who motivated him to participate in the attempted coup.
Now, Chansley has appeared in his first public interview, attempting to defend his actions by claiming he was stopping his fellow rioters from damaging the Senate—and stealing muffins.
Watch below.
Chansley said:
"I sang a song, and that's a part of shamanism, it's about creating positive vibrations in a sacred chamber. I also stopped people from stealing and vandalizing that sacred space, the Senate. I actually stopped somebody from stealing muffins out of the breakroom. I also said a prayer in that sacred chamber because it was my intention to bring divinity and bring God back into the Senate."
He went on to claim he was waved into the Capitol by police officers and insisted that his intentions were peaceful.
Chansley is seeking release from prison ahead of his trial, but people aren't buying his defense.
In fact, people found it ridiculous.
The interview generated buzz across the internet.
Chansley faces up to 20 years behind bars.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
