Former Philadelphia Proud Boys leader among those pardoned by Trump for his role in Jan. 6 attack on US Capitol

On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump has pardoned, commuted the prison sentences, or vowed to dismiss the cases of all of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, a group that includes more than 100 Pennsylvanians.

Donald Trump began erasing Joe Biden’s legacy immediately after taking office as the nation’s 47th president, pardoning nearly all of his supporters who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Trump has pardoned, commuted the prison sentences, or vowed to dismiss the cases of all of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in connection with the unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy which left more than 100 police officers injured as the angry mob of Trump supporters — some armed with poles, bats and bear spray — overwhelmed law enforcement, shattered windows and sent lawmakers and aides running into hiding. 

Zachary Rehl, the former leader of the Philadelphia chapter of the Proud Boys, is among one of the more high-profile pardons. Rehl was serving a 15-year term, one of the longest sentences handed down in connection with the attack.

He was seen on video spraying a chemical irritant at law enforcement officers outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, but he repeatedly lied about that assault while he testified at his trial, said prosecutor Erik Kenerson. “He tried to craft a narrative to fit the evidence and he was caught,” Kenerson said.

Rehl also led at least three other men into the Capitol and into a senator’s office, where he smoked and posed for pictures while flashing the Proud Boys’ hand gesture, prosecutors said in court documents.

At his sentencing in 2023, Rehl sobbed as he told the judge he deeply regretted being at the Capitol that day. “I’m done with all of it, done peddling lies for other people who don’t care about me,” Rehl said. “Politicians started spreading lies about the election, and I fell for it hook, line and sinker.”

To date, more than 100 Pennsylvanians have been charged in connection to the Jan. 6 attack. Of that group, 72 Pennsylvanians have been sentenced, with others still awaiting trial. Three died (two by suicide) while awaiting sentencing.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.