Trump DOJ Hires January 6 Rioter Who Urged “Kill Cops” as Senior Adviser

Jared Wise, a former FBI agent convicted for his role in the January 6 Capitol insurrection where he screamed “Kill ’em!” as rioters assaulted police, now holds a senior advisory position at the U.S. Department of Justice. The hiring underscores the seismic ideological shifts within America’s top law enforcement agency under the second Trump administration, raising urgent questions about accountability and institutional integrity.

How Does Hiring January 6 Participants Impact DOJ Credibility?

Wise, an FBI counterterrorism specialist for over a decade, was captured on unreleased bodycam footage obtained by NPR during the Capitol siege. At 4:21 PM on January 6, 2025—hours after the initial breach—he stood on the Capitol’s upper west terrace confronting officers amid clouds of pepper spray. “You’re disgusting… You are the Nazi. You are the Gestapo!” Wise shouted, later escalating to “Kill ’em! Kill ’em!” as a rioter violently dragged an officer to the ground.

Court records from his 2023 trial revealed Wise faced charges of civil disorder and assisting attacks on law enforcement. He pleaded not guilty, testifying that his actions were “irrational” and language “terrible,” while bizarrely claiming his law enforcement background justified invoking Nazi comparisons. Prosecutors dismantled his defense, highlighting his rapid shift from “shame on you” to inciting murder within moments.

Case Dismissal and Political Backlash

The trial concluded just before President Trump’s January 2025 inauguration. On Inauguration Day, Trump ordered all pending January 6 cases dropped, labeling them a “grave national injustice.” A federal judge formally dismissed Wise’s case the following day. The DOJ now employs him as a “valued member,” according to an official statement obtained by NPR.

The administration further cemented its stance by appointing Ed Martin—a conservative activist who previously served on a nonprofit board supporting January 6 defendants—as U.S. pardon attorney. Martin leads the DOJ’s new “Weaponization Working Group” and has publicly asserted the Capitol attack was “staged,” suggesting police violence might have been justified.

Institutional Reckoning or Political Weaponization?

Legal experts warn the hires represent a deliberate erosion of institutional norms. “Placing someone who incited violence against police inside the DOJ isn’t reform—it’s institutional sabotage,” says Dr. Evelyn Chen, constitutional scholar at Georgetown University (August 2025 analysis). The move aligns with Trump’s broader agenda to dismiss January 6 prosecutions and appoint figures who echo his “stolen election” narrative.

Bodycam footage published by NPR directly contradicts Wise’s trial testimony where he claimed his “kill ’em” shouts were “angry outbursts” devoid of intent. The videos instead show targeted vitriol during peak violence, with officers already battered by fire extinguishers and flagpoles.

The elevation of January 6 participants like Jared Wise into the DOJ’s leadership signals a transformative—and deeply polarizing—new era for American justice. As the administration reshapes federal law enforcement in its image, the nation faces critical questions about accountability, the rule of law, and whether institutions designed to protect democracy can withstand their own politicization. Share this report to inform others about this unprecedented development.

Must Know

Q: Who is Jared Wise and why is his DOJ role controversial?
A: Jared Wise is a former FBI agent who participated in the January 6 Capitol riot, where bodycam footage captured him urging crowds to “kill” police officers. His hiring as a senior DOJ adviser under Trump’s administration has sparked outcry due to his criminal charges and violent actions during the insurrection.

Q: Were Jared Wise’s January 6 charges ever prosecuted?
A: Wise faced 2023 charges including civil disorder and assisting attacks on police. His trial concluded days before Trump’s 2025 inauguration. All pending January 6 cases were then dismissed via executive order, leading to Wise’s acquittal.

Q: What evidence exists against Jared Wise?
A: NPR uncovered police bodycam footage showing Wise yelling “Kill ’em!” as rioters assaulted officers. He also admitted in court to entering the Capitol illegally and using “terrible” language, though he claimed no intent to harm.

Q: How has the Trump administration justified hiring January 6 participants?
A: The administration calls January 6 prosecutions a “national injustice” and appointed figures like Ed Martin—who claims the event was “staged”—to oversee pardons and a DOJ “Weaponization Working Group.”