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Jenna Ryan, a Texas real estate agent who took a private jet to Washington to join the attack on the United States Capitol, begged Donald Trump to forgive her after she was arrested by federal authorities.
After surrendering to the FBI on Friday, Ryan said, “We all deserve a pardon.”
“I am facing a prison sentence,” she told CBS11 at her home. “I don’t think I deserve this.”
Turning to look at the camera, she said, “I would ask the President of the United States to forgive me.”
On Wednesday, Trump was accused of inciting the January 6 attack that left five people dead, including a police officer, and caused lawmakers to flee for their lives.
Ryan said he was “showing off my patriotism”, adding, “I listen to my president, who told me to go to the Capitol.”
Ryan left a treasure trove of information online. Court documents show that she posted a photo of her on a private jet to Washington DC the day before the riot, later posing on Capitol steps and beside a broken window when the pro-Trump crowd entered.
“We are going to go down and invade the Capitol,” Ryan said in a video posted on Facebook. “They are there now and that’s why we came and that’s what we’re going to do. So wish me luck. “
During a live video on Facebook of the raid scene, Ryan stated, “We are going to get in here. Life or death, it doesn’t matter. Here we go.”
She walked up the Capitol steps, then promoted her real estate business to the camera: “You know who to hire for your realtor. Jenna Ryan for her realtor. “
Later, Ryan posted on Twitter: “We just invaded the Capital [sic]. It was one of the best days of my life. “
Trump widely used the power of presidential pardon to benefit political allies. Ryan is the last person to apologize for the attack on the Capitol.
A lawyer for Jacob Chansley, an Arizona man who wore horns, animal skin and face paint while carrying a spear and entering the Senate chamber, said that Trump should do the “honorable thing and forgive those of his peaceful followers who accepted the president’s invitation “.
Albert Watkins said his client had no criminal record and was an “active yoga practitioner”. He also mentioned Chansley’s diet, which led him to reject unorganized meals in federal custody.
Chansley faces six federal charges. On Friday, a judge ordered him to be detained without bail.