Five Trump-Pardoned January 6 Defendants Face New Criminal Accusations

At least five people pardoned by President Trump for their roles in the 6 January 2021 US Capitol attack have been accused of committing new crimes, The Guardian reported. Ryan Nichols, 35, became the latest such individual on 10 May when authorities in Harleton, Texas, say he threateningly displayed a handgun to a person with whom he was arguing in a church parking lot.

Harrison County sheriff’s office deputies responded to a complaint about a person reaching for a firearm during a dispute outside the church in Harleton, Texas, on 10 May 2026.

The alleged victim reported turning away from Nichols, trying to usher his family to their car, and asking Nichols to go away. The alleged victim stated that Nichols then raised his shirt, showed a gun, and wrapped his hand around the weapon’s grip. The alleged victim stated he was in fear for his life due to Nichols displaying the gun.

Nichols was arrested on a count of deadly conduct on 10 May 2026. He was also booked on unrelated warrants alleging harassment. County jail records show Nichols was released from county jail two days after his 10 May 2026 arrest on $8,000 bond.

Nichols had pleaded guilty in November 2023 to charges connected to the 6 January 2021 Capitol attack. He acknowledged attacking officers with pepper spray during the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot. Nichols made a video during the riot in which he said: “It’s going to be violent and … if you are asking, ‘Is Ryan Nichols going to bring violence?

’” A federal judge sentenced Nichols to five years and three months in prison for his January 6 offences. President Trump unconditionally pardoned Nichols along with 1,500 other January 6 participants on the first day of his second presidency in January 2025. Nichols declared his intent to run for a seat in Congress in April 2025.