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Trump appoints convicted Jan. 6 rioter to counterterrorism post.

6/3/2026

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Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump appointed Elias Irizarry, a convicted Jan. 6 rioter, to a senior counterterrorism post in the Defense Department.
Irizarry, a former The Citadel freshman who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, served 14 days in jail and later graduated after readmission.
Critics warned the appointment, which places him in the Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict office, could endanger special-operations personnel.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump appointed Elias Irizarry, a convicted Jan. 6 rioter, to a senior counterterrorism post in the Defense Department.
Irizarry, a former The Citadel freshman who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, served 14 days in jail and later graduated after readmission.
Critics warned the appointment, which places him in the Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict office, could endanger special-operations personnel.