US government hires convict for Capitol invasion

Elias Irizarry has been appointed to a position in the US Department of Defense's Office of Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, the Pentagon. Irizarry works in the group responsible for personnel recovery and hostage rescue.

However, in 2023, Irizarry was sentenced to 14 days in prison for entering the US Capitol through a broken window while wielding a metal rod. He was just 19 years old on the day of the invasion.

Although he apologized in court while being sentenced, critics at the Pentagon say he should not hold a position that requires top-secret security clearance, especially since it is some of the most sensitive work the military does. He had no prior experience in the role.

Remember the invasion of the US Capitol
On January 6, 2021, the process to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory was interrupted by Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol. They sought to prevent the rite from being completed and the Democrat from officially becoming the winner of the 2020 election, which he contested with the Republican.

During the joint session of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, hundreds of Trump supporters marched towards the Congress building. They broke through the police blockade and invaded the building.

In the attack, the attackers destroyed several objects - many with historical significance - and threatened congressmen with death. This was the first time this had happened in US history.

Source: CNN