Were Jan. 6 Rioters Hired by ICE? Democrats Demand Answers
House Democrats have launched a formal inquiry into whether any individuals charged or investigated in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol are now employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to records reviewed by CBS News.
The probe follows President Trump’s January 20, 2025, mass pardons of more than 1,500 January 6 defendants, a move that drew sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, Capitol Police officers, and constitutional scholars. Trump has defended the pardons by claiming many defendants were innocent or over-prosecuted.
The inquiry is outlined in a three-page letter dated January 13, 2026, sent by Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, to Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi. Raskin requested all records related to the recruitment, vetting, or hiring of anyone charged or investigated for January 6-related conduct.
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Democrats say the concern is heightened by ICE’s rapid expansion, fueled by a $75 billion funding increase, as well as recent agency practices allowing some officers to wear masks or remove name identifiers. Raskin wrote that such practices raise serious questions about transparency and accountability within federal law enforcement.
The letter cites one confirmed case: Jared Wise, a former FBI supervisory agent indicted on felony charges for his actions on January 6. His case was dismissed following Trump’s pardon, and Wise is now reported to be serving in an advisory role at the Justice Department.
No evidence has yet been released showing that any January 6 defendants are currently employed by ICE. The Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department declined to comment. Raskin set a January 26 deadline for a response.
The inquiry comes amid escalating national tensions over immigration enforcement, expanding federal authority, and accountability following January 6.
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