Capitol Rioter’s Son Fears For His Father’s Release

Almost four years to the day his father was taken to prison for his part in January 6 riots at the CapitolMr. Jackson Reffitt watched with astonishment when President Donald Trump signed an executive order words forgiven and changed to his father and about 1,500 other rebels.

Reffitt has spent the past four years in hiding, moving steadily every few months. He was the person who he released the FBI about his father’s involvement in the plot. Jackson’s father, Guy Reffitt, was a member of the Texas Three Percenters when they stormed the Capitol in full armor and armed with guns and zip ties. He was caught on camera urging other terrorists to shoot up the Capitol building and told members of his gang that he wanted to drag House Speaker Nancy Pelosi into the building by her ankles, “her head hitting all the steps on the way down.”

“Trump himself has given him a presidential pardon to go free. That confirmation is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that he will never get again,” Reffitt told WIRED. “I can’t imagine what he will do now. It can be very difficult. “

Reffitt is “terrified” of what will happen next, and has picked up a handgun to protect himself and his girlfriend. Over the past few years, she has been targeted, harassed and threatened online.

Since Trump has pardoned everyone, these threats are increasing.

“(In the last 24 hours) it’s gotten worse than ever,” Reffitt told WIRED. “I think because, again, the certainty that Trump is bringing is just emboldening people to say the worst, the worst.”

Reffitt is not the only family member of the inmate released on January 6 who is worried about Trump’s clemency. Tasha Adams, the ex-wife of Oath Keeper leader Stewart Rhodes who served 22 years in prison for treason against Trump, is also worried about what could happen. “Stewart’s out of jail now and, frankly, I could use some money, if that’s what it takes,” he said. Adams wrote on her GoFundMe page Tuesday, hours after her ex-husband was released from prison.

The investigation into the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 became the largest in the history of the Department of Justice, and left many right-wing forces in the country in ruins. But with one note on Monday night, Trump reinvigorated the military, and released the most prominent people, including Rhodes and Rhodes. Proud Boy director Enrique Tarrio.

“One of the things that worries me the most is the risk of the damaged J6 groups coming back in force, especially since many of them have been replaced or pardoned,” says Luke Baumgartner, a researcher at George Washington University. Program of Extremism. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the Oath Keepers start showing up, and I see the Proud Boys speeding up their cultural warfare tactics, especially against the LGBTQ community, as we’ve seen before. Their leaders are liberal, they have a lot to do, and they feel legitimate.”

Have a Tip?

Are you a relative of the January 6 prisoner who is being released? We want to hear from you. Using a non-working phone or computer, contact David Gilbert at david.gilbert@wired.com or safely on Signal at DavidGilbert.01

Guy Reffitt was the first person to commit violence to be sentenced on January 6 and initially received a sentence of seven years and three months, which was reduced by seven months in December after a High Court decision that led to the impeachment trial against him.

“I am the strongest Patriot, with the support of the Patriot Warriors, as we navigate difficult waters,” Reffitt wrote to a jailmate in a text message provided by prosecutors in December.