Federal judge rules ‘QAnon shaman’ too dangerous to be released from jail

Jacob Chansley, the self-proclaimed “QAnon Shaman” who participated in the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, will not be released from jail ahead of his trial, a federal judge determined on Monday.

In court documents cited by CNN, Judge Royce Lamberth argued that Chansley’s statements holding former President Trump accountable for his alleged illegal entry into the Capitol building showed that Chansley was unremorseful about his actions.

“The court finds that no condition or combination of conditions of release will reasonably assure defendant’s appearance as required [in court] or the safety of others and the community,” Lamberth ruled.

“Defendant characterizes himself as a peaceful person who was welcomed into the Capitol building on January 6th by police officers. The Court finds none of his many attempts to manipulate the evidence and minimize the seriousness of his actions persuasive,” the judge continued.

Chansley faces multiple charges stemming from the Jan. 6 assault, including violent entry and obstruction of an official proceeding. He was one of the most well-known supporters of the QAnon conspiracy to appear at the Capitol that day and allegedly left a note for former Vice President Mike Pence vowing “justice” if the election results were not overturned.

Supporters of the QAnon conspiracy believe that the former president was engaged in a shadow war with a global cabal of Satan worshippers during his time in office.

Those who attended the Capitol riot did so in the hopes of stopping Congress’s certification of President Biden’s victory, which occurred the same day.

FBI officials said this week that they have already arrested hundreds of people suspected of involvement in the riot and are seeking hundreds more.