Jacob Chansley, known as the “QAnon Shaman,” has filed a declaration of interest to run for the Libertarian Party in the 2024 election. According to state documents, Chansley intends to run for a seat being vacated by a retiring Republican lawmaker. Authorities said it was an election in Arizona.
Chansley gained notoriety in the world press after his involvement in the attack on the United States Capitol in January 2021. Images of the shaman without a shirt, with a painted face and an American flag on a spear circulated in the media.
On January 6, Chansley led the crowd of former President Donald Trump’s supporters who marched on Congress and questioned the legitimacy of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. During the insurrection, he occupied the gallery reserved for thenVice President Mike Pence and left a cryptic message: “It’s just a matter of time. Justice is coming.”
During his testimony in court, Chansley referenced historical figures such as Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Buddha and Clarence Thomas, a member of the United States Supreme Court. In a confusing and lengthy statement, he admitted he made a mistake entering the Capitol and said there was no excuse for his actions.
Federal prosecutors requested a sentence of three years and five months in prison for Chansley, who is accused of promoting the rightwing theory QAnon. Chansley’s lawyer cited mental health issues as justification for his actions. The shaman traveled around the country attending rallies for Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign. He is currently serving his sentence in a semiopen regime.
Chansley is one of more than 1,100 people charged in the attack on the Capitol, which led to a delay in certifying Biden’s victory, property damage and the tragic death of a police officer. The case continues to be closely monitored by the authorities and society in general.