Jacob Chansley, the infamous “QAnon Shaman” who became one of the most recognizable faces of the January 6th Capitol insurrection, appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored to apologize for his role in the riots. This apology, however, seems to be mired in controversy, especially considering his earlier statements following his pardon.
Chansley, wearing his signature horned headdress, addressed the police officers who were involved in managing the riot, calling the violence and assaults by rioters “absolutely terrible.” He made the apology “on behalf of all January 6ers and Trump supporters,” acknowledging the harm caused. He also seemed to suggest that some officers, including high-ranking officials like Yogananda Pittman and Tom Manger, were to blame for putting officers at risk during the events of that day. Chansley even raised the idea of a class-action lawsuit, a suggestion that didn’t sit well with everyone.
While former Capitol officer Winston Pingeon accepted Chansley’s apology, he reminded him of the larger context, noting that rioters had claimed they were sent by President Trump. Chansley’s response and the entire televised apology segment seemed to be a calculated move to gain sympathy or perhaps salvage his public image. However, Chansley’s earlier actions and post-pardon comments have been far from remorseful.
After receiving a pardon from former President Trump, Chansley celebrated with a rather concerning post, expressing excitement about buying firearms and celebrating his release. This raised questions about the sincerity of his apology, especially since his previous comments about the riot indicated no remorse. He has even gone on record saying that he “regrets nothing” and feels that he’s a better person because of his experiences.
It’s difficult to overlook the contradictions in Chansley’s narrative, and Morgan’s show has a history of featuring controversial figures who stir up outrage. Whether Chansley’s apology will truly make amends for the pain caused by the insurrection or is just another attempt to shift the narrative remains to be seen.