US
QAnon Shaman tells Sky News Donald Trump charges over January 6 riot may backfire on prosecutors
The latest case against Donald Trump could backfire against prosecutors, the man who famously wore a horned helmet during the January 6 2021 riot at the US Capitol has told Sky News.
Jacob Chansley, also known as the QAnon Shaman, was sentenced to 41 months in prison in November 2021 after pleading guilty to obstructing Congress’ proceedings and was released from jail earlier this year.
Yesterday, the former US president was charged with trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat and stay in power as he was accused of “fuelling” his supporters’ violent insurrection in Washington.
The four criminal counts include conspiracy to defraud the United States government and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding – the certification by Congress of Mr Biden’s victory.
Jacob Chansley, known as the Q Anon Shaman, in the Capitol Building on Jan 6 2021
In testy exchanges with Sky’s Mark Austin, Chansley said of the indictment: “This may end up backfiring because the information regarding the election will end up becoming public knowledge through these court filings.
“So this may end up snapping back on the people that are pressing these charges, because now it all is going to be out in the open and the very real evidence that there was fraudulent or rigged certain portions of the election.”