Full Breakdown
Massachusetts Board Revokes License Renewal for Dr. Jacquelyn Starer Over Jan. 6 Capitol Assault
7/22/2026, 8:15:19 AM
Background & Context
Dr. Jacquelyn Starer, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and addiction-medicine specialist practicing in Massachusetts since the early 1980s, entered the United States Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. In the Rotunda she struck a Metropolitan Police Officer with a closed fist, an act captured on video and cited in federal court. In 2024 she pleaded guilty to an eight-count federal indictment that included two felony charges of obstruction of law enforcement and assaulting officers. She was sentenced to nine months of home confinement, 24 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution. President Donald Trump later issued a pardon covering her conviction.
Timeline of Key Events
- Jan. 6, 2021 – Dr. Starer joins the crowd that breaches the Capitol and punches a police officer.
- Dec. 2022 – Arrested in Ashland, Massachusetts.
- 2024 – Pleads guilty to multiple federal counts and receives her sentence.
- 2025 – Receives a presidential pardon.
- July 16, 2026 – Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine revokes her right to renew her medical license and terminates a prior Voluntary Agreement Not to Practice.
Board Decision and Legal Findings
The Board concluded that Dr. Starer’s conduct on Jan. 6—participation in the breach and assault on an officer—constituted conduct “unbecoming of a physician.” In its July 16, 2026 order, the Board revoked her renewal and terminated the earlier Voluntary Agreement. The action is grounded in statutory authority to discipline physicians whose criminal conduct reflects adversely on their fitness to practice.
Data & Statistics
- License tenure: Held a Massachusetts medical license since the early 1980s.
- Criminal record: Eight federal counts, including two felonies, to which she pleaded guilty.
- Sentencing: Nine months home confinement, 24 months supervised release, $4,000 restitution.
- Pardon: Issued by Donald Trump in 2025.
Impact on Medical Practice and Public Trust
The revocation links professional licensure to broader ethical conduct. By denying renewal, the Board bars Dr. Starer from resuming clinical work in the state, a move supporters say protects patients and upholds the profession’s integrity. Critics note that a presidential pardon could complicate disciplinary processes.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Number of charges: Some sources cite two felony counts plus misdemeanors; others reference an eight-count indictment.
- Pardon timing: The exact date of the pardon is not specified, creating uncertainty about its relation to the Board’s July 2026 decision.
These discrepancies underscore the need for a consolidated public record of the indictment and pardon documentation.
Official Statements & Responses
- In a 2024 sentencing hearing, Dr. Starer expressed remorse for her actions.
The Board’s order represents the latest regulatory response to Dr. Starer’s criminal conduct and its perceived impact on her fitness to practice medicine.
