A pardoned Jan. 6 rioter who went viral after he was photographed hauling then-Speaker of the Home Nancy Pelosi’s lectern across the ravaged US Capitol constructing introduced he’s working for workplace — on the fifth anniversary of the harrowing rampage.
Adam Johnson, a 41-year-old father of 5 sons, is campaigning as a “conservative fighter” for Manatee County’s at-large commissioner seat, in line with his marketing campaign web site.
Johnson is healthier referred to as the “Lectern man” after he was photographed grinning whereas carrying Pelosi’s podium across the US Capitol in the course of the Jan. 6 riots. When he made it to the Capitol Rotunda, he planted it within the heart of the room and pretended to make a pretend speech, prosecutors stated.
He pleaded responsible to coming into and remaining in a restricted constructing or floor, a misdemeanor that landed him 75 days in federal jail, plus a $5,000 fantastic and 200 hours of neighborhood service.
Throughout his sentencing, Johnson admitted posing with Pelosi’s lectern was a “very silly thought,” however confirmed no regret within the instant aftermath.
Whereas he was driving residence from Washington, DC, Johnson boasted about how he “broke the web” and was “lastly well-known,” prosecutors stated throughout his speedy trial.
“I walked right into a constructing, I took an image with a bit of furnishings, and I left,” Johnson instructed CBS Information.
The Jan. 6 rioters pushed previous steel limitations and Capitol police earlier than they shattered strengthened glass home windows and doorways to forcibly enter the US Capitol whereas the 2020 presidential election votes have been being licensed inside.
Some got here ready with weapons, together with pepper spray and baseball bats, and chanted numerous threats of violence towards members of Congress — together with requires former Vice President Mike Pence to be hanged.
By the point President Trump pardoned the rioters initially of his second time period, Johnson had already accomplished his sentence. He didn’t lose any of his rights, together with his capacity to serve in public workplace, as a result of he was convicted of a misdemeanor crime, not a felony.
Johnson instructed WWSB that submitting to run on Jan. 6, 2026 was “not a coincidence” and was “good for getting the thrill on the market.”
Johnson’s marketing campaign web site is riddled with complaints as he’s grown “bored with watching MAGA ideas get ignored on the native degree.”
“He’s working as a result of conservatives deserve management that truly fights for them. Actual conservative management that exposes corruption, protects taxpayers, and places residents over particular pursuits. Adam can’t be purchased. He can’t be bullied. And he gained’t again down from exposing corruption wherever he finds it,” his web site reads.
Johnson instructed the outlet that his psychology diploma makes him the right individual to “take care of loopy individuals” and cited his church work as an indicator of political preparedness.
One other Jan. 6 alum, Jake Lang, is working for Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s vacant US Senate seat in Florida. He was charged with assaulting an officer, civil dysfunction and different crimes earlier than he was pardoned by Trump.
Three different convicted Jan. 6 rioters tried, and failed, to run for Congress in 2024 as Republicans.
Convicted felons lose their proper to vote, however nothing impedes them from working for federal workplace. Restrictions can nonetheless be applied at state-level places of work, relying on the state’s legal guidelines.
