A Jan 6 rioter doesn't want President Trump's pardon and is seeking for formally refuse it, according to a report.
Jason Riddle, a Navy veteran, told WMUR Channel 9, that what he did on January 6 was wrong and that he is formally seeking to refuse Trump's pardon.
"I caused a lot of hurt by being down there. I hurt a lot of people along the way, I said a lot of nasty things," Riddle told the station in an exclusive interview. "I have to acknowledge that reality, and part of that is not taking any sort of pardon or pass or anything from Trump that denies that reality, because once you do that, I'm right back where I started."
Riddle documented his journey and how he came to his "epiphany" in his blog entitled "Leaving MAGA." The blog details his support of Trump, his struggle with alcoholism, and how he came to leave the political movement after serving a 90-jail sentence for his actions on January 6.
Riddle faced charges of entering the capital illegally, theft of government property and disorderly conduct. According to court documents, Riddle accompanied others into the Capitol building and described what he saw in an interview with NBC Boston.
"They were smashing computers, and printers, and breaking things, and throwing papers and lamps around," Riddle said according to court documents.
At one point, Riddle entered an office and took a bottle of wine and poured himself a glass. He left the office when a police officer told him to get out. He also took a book on Senate Procedures from an office and later sold it for $40.
The court documents do not describe any violent conduct by Riddle, but the documents do note that two of his friends did not breach the barrier and enter the Capitol building and instead left and went to get something to eat when the riot started.
WMUR reported that Riddle later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and probation.
Shortly after taking office, Trump issued nearly 1,600 pardons to people charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot. Riddle told WMUR that he emailed the pardon office, but realized he likely needs the help of lawmakers to refuse the pardon.
"Today, they officially reached out to the Pardon Office and asked for them to put the official letter," Riddle told the station.
Riddle said that although he believed Trump had lost the election fairly, he was "clearly was obsessed with Trump" and had found a community among the supporters. He told the station he went to Washington D.C. that day to support Trump and watch what was going on.
"This was a horrible thing that happened, and I deserve to go to prison, and so does Donald Trump. He still deserves to go to prison for having caused that. I think maybe one day he will," Riddle told WMUR.
