‘QAnon Shaman’ says he stormed Capitol to ‘bring God back into the Senate’
The man known as the “QAnon Shaman” said he was only trying to spread good vibes and the word of God when he broke into the Capitol — and even stopped a brazen thief from swiping muffins from the break room.
Jacob Chansley, 33, who made national headlines for donning horns, face paint and a fur hat during the Jan. 6 riot, said in his first interview from jail that he was hoping to “bring divinity and to bring God back into the Senate.”
“I sang a song. And that’s a part of shamanism. It’s about creating positive vibrations in a sacred chamber,” the Arizona man said in an interview that aired Thursday on “CBS This Morning.”
The “QAnon Shaman” of the January 6th attack on the Capitol tells his story for the first time from jail, as he faces up to 20 years behind bars.
Jacob Chansley spoke with @60minutes+’s @LaurieSegall pic.twitter.com/uhUuFNHRvf
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) March 4, 2021
“I also stopped people from stealing and vandalizing that sacred space, the Senate. OK? I actually stopped somebody from stealing muffins out of the, out of the break room,” he told correspondent Laurie Segall in the interview, which was recorded in mid-February.
Videos and photos from the deadly siege showed Chansley bare-chested and wielding a spear with an American flag fastened below the tip of the blade.
In this Jan. 6, 2021, photo, supporters of President Donald Trump, including Jacob Chansley, right with fur hat, are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol in Washington.
The accused rioter was famously photographed sitting in the Senate chamber seat of former Vice President Mike Pence, and he allegedly left a note threatening Pence.
Chansley somewhat apologized for his actions last month, asking people to “be patient with me and other peaceful people who, like me, are having a very difficult time piecing together all that happened to us, around us, and by us.”
The shamanic practitioner unsuccessfully sought a pardon from former President Donald Trump.
In the CBS interview that aired Thursday, Chansley said that his “actions were not an attack on this country” and that he regrets believing that entering the Capitol “was acceptable.”
US Capitol on high alert after threats
Law enforcement was on high alert Thursday around the U.S. Capitol after intelligence uncovered a “possible plot” by a militia group to storm the iconic building again, two months after a mob of Donald Trump supporters smashed through windows and doors to try to stop Congress from certifying now-President Joe Biden’s victory.
The Capitol dome is seen beyond a perimeter security fence illuminated by a red traffic light before sunrise in Washington, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Capitol is seen beyond a perimeter security fence illuminated by a traffic lights before sunrise in Washington, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Capitol dome is seen beyond a perimeter security fence as a runner passes by just before sunrise in Washington, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
National Guard troops keep watch at the Capitol in Washington, early Thursday, March 4, 2021, amid intelligence warnings that there is a “possible plot” by a group of militia extremists to take control of the Capitol on March 4 to remove Democrats from power. The threat comes nearly two months after thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in a violent insurrection as Congress was voting to certify Joe Biden’s electoral win. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
National Guard troops keep watch at the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, early Thursday, March 4, 2021, amid intelligence warnings that there is a “possible plot” by a group of militia extremists to take control of the Capitol on March 4 to remove Democrats from power. The threat comes nearly two months after thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in a violent insurrection as Congress was voting to certify Joe Biden’s electoral win. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Capitol dome is seen beyond a perimeter security fence topped with razor wire in Washington, early Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
National Guard troops stand guard outside Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 4, 2021. Capitol Police say they have uncovered intelligence of a “possible plot” by a militia group to breach the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, nearly two months after a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the iconic building to try to stop Congress from certifying now-President Joe Biden’s victory. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
National Guard troops stand guard outside Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 4, 2021. Capitol Police say they have uncovered intelligence of a “possible plot” by a militia group to breach the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, nearly two months after a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the iconic building to try to stop Congress from certifying now-President Joe Biden’s victory. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
National Guard keep watch on the Capitol, Thursday, March 4, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Capitol Police say they have uncovered intelligence of a “possible plot” by a militia group to breach the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, nearly two months after a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the iconic building to try to stop Congress from certifying now-President Joe Biden’s victory. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Capitol is seen through security fencing, Thursday, March 4, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Capitol Police say they have uncovered intelligence of a “possible plot” by a militia group to breach the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, nearly two months after a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the iconic building to try to stop Congress from certifying now-President Joe Biden’s victory. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
National Guard keep watch on the Capitol, Thursday, March 4, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Capitol Police say they have uncovered intelligence of a “possible plot” by a militia group to breach the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, nearly two months after a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the iconic building to try to stop Congress from certifying now-President Joe Biden’s victory. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
National Guard keep watch on the Capitol, Thursday, March 4, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Capitol Police say they have uncovered intelligence of a “possible plot” by a militia group to breach the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, nearly two months after a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the iconic building to try to stop Congress from certifying now-President Joe Biden’s victory. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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