A federal judge is scolding Jacob Chansley, the man known as the “QAnon Shaman,” for remarks he made during an interview with “60 Minutes+.”
“Defendant’s perception of his actions on January 6th as peaceful, benign, and well-intentioned shows a detachment from reality,” the judge wrote in a decision to deny a pretrial release of Chansley.
They pointed to a quote from the interview where Chansley defended his actions.
“I was peaceful. I was civil. I was calm. I said a prayer and I sang a song,” Chansley said.
In case you missed it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osb7X6tAwpc
The judge also noted Chansley was asked to characterize his actions on the day of the electoral certification.
“I sang a song and that’s a part of shamanism. It’s about creating positive vibrations in a sacred chamber,” Chansley said.
The judge acknowledged Chansley expressed remorse over his decision to enter the Capitol building.
“I regret entering that building. I regret entering that building with every fiber of my being,” Chansley said during the interview.
“Defendant was not charged with simple trespass. In addition to being charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building, defendant was also charged with civil disorder, obstructing an official proceeding, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building,” the judge wrote.
They continued, “If the defendant does not understand the severity of the allegations against him, the Court finds no reason to believe he would not commit the same or similar actions again.”
Read the comments below:
JUST IN: Federal judge *denies* pretrial release of Q Shaman Jacob Chansley, rejecting the suggestion he was peaceful.
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) March 8, 2021
And Chansley's comments to 60 Minutes backfired: The judge says they prove he doesn't understand the gravity of his actions. pic.twitter.com/sbuNZKvqo7
During the interview, Laurie Segall, a reporter for “60 Minutes+” also asked Chansley about his loyalty to former President Donald Trump.
“I developed a lot of sympathy for Donald Trump because it seemed like the media was picking on him and seemed like the establishment was going after him unnecessarily or unfairly, and I had been a victim of that all of my life, whether it be in school or at home,” he said.
Chansley continued, “I honestly believed and still believe that he cares about the Constitution, that he cares about the American people, and that’s also why and you know it wounded me so deeply and why it disappointed me so greatly that I and others did not get a pardon.”