Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer has given his first interview since being arrested for his position within the 2021 US Capitol riot.
Schaffer was interviewed by the church-affiliated podcast “It Is Later Than You Suppose” in a video titled “Jon Schaffer – Lastly Free.” Within the almost two-and-a-half-hour dialog, Schaffer opened up about his involvement within the revolt, his newfound Christian religion, and the potential for returning to music as a way to “glorify God.”
Schaffer initially confronted quite a few prices and was arrested and detained for 3 months after he was noticed on safety digital camera footage storming an entrance to the Capitol constructing on January sixth, 2021. Authorities had related him to the far-right militia group the Oath Keepers, a truth disputed by the Oath Keepers themselves, and Schaffer reportedly assisted legislation enforcement of their investigation.
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Schaffer’s cooperation led him to putting a plea cut price, with responsible pleas of obstruction of an official continuing of Congress, and trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol whereas armed with a lethal or harmful weapon (bear spray). In October 2024, he was finally sentenced to a few years probation, ordered to pay $2,200 in restitution, and serve 120 hours of group service. President Donald Trump went on to pardon the Capitol rioters in a controversial transfer earlier this 12 months.
After his sentencing, Schaffer launched an announcement expressing remorse for his motion on the day of riot, and in his first interview since, he mirrored upon his resolution to affix the protests that finally led to the January sixth riot (as transcribed by The PRP):
“I need individuals to be free. I need individuals to have the ability to be free to talk their minds, to worship, to stay, to prosper.
That’s what we’ve been advised our entire lives that’s what our nation stands for. We understand how a lot we’ve been lied to, however the truth is that’s what it was based upon. They usually have demonized every thing about our historical past to the purpose that if we don’t convey widespread sense again into this dialogue, it is going to be unrecognizable.
Now I understand my conduct wasn’t the best conduct and wasn’t the neatest factor that I ever did, however it was entrapment — 100%. I imply, there’s little doubt. The reality is gonna come out about this. The dangerous factor is I do know higher. However I let my feelings get a complete deal with on me, and I believe there was a power at work there, which I can’t actually put into phrases.”
Schaffer then gave his recollections of the riot and storming of the Capitol itself, describing a scene of “pandemonium” and that he “simply went form of in a straight line,” following a stream of insurrectionists into the constructing. Schaffer tried to explain himself as merely being caught up within the chaos and that he was shocked by the violence unfolding:
“So I’m, like, getting extra charged up, like, ‘What’s happening?’ I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t anticipate that patriots had been setting off flash bangs or concussion grenades or no matter I used to be listening to. It doesn’t make sense as a result of that’s not what the motion’s about. It’s not a violent motion. You could possibly see that. It’s a really family-oriented motion. I might say that the general public are simply freedom loving, in all probability quite a lot of Christians and quite a lot of of good-hearted Individuals… And so destroying property, that’s not what we do. That’s not our factor.”
The guitarist additionally stated he believed that he and the remainder of the J6ers, as they’re referred to as, had been handled unfairly, regardless of all of them receiving a pardon, together with those who dedicated violent crimes towards Capitol cops:
“I believe the J6ers, moreover our president, have gone by means of probably the worst political persecution, in all probability the worst political persecution within the historical past of the nation. And the injury that’s achieved, a few of it’s by no means gonna be repaired. And it doesn’t matter if we win a lawsuit towards the federal authorities for all of the abuses of our rights. I imply, that’s cash, man. That’s not gonna get again. You’re not gonna get your status again. Some individuals died, some individuals killed themselves, man, due to the stress… It’s simply horrible what went on.”
Because the riot, Schaffer stated he has turned to Christianity, impressed by the religion of others on his cellblock throughout his transient jail stint, and he views his baptism as a rebirth of types. The Iced Earth founder even teased a return to music to replicate his newfound religion:
“There’s a couple of releases that I’ve obtained up my sleeve that we’re gonna be engaged on. When it comes to new materials, I’m gonna give that a little bit little bit of time. I have to know that there’s clear creative route and never one thing that’s manufactured by me. … And so no matter I might do going ahead, I solely wanna do one thing that’s gonna be nice. I don’t need something to be compelled. And I need it to glorify God. And I believe there’s simply a lot, from a inventive standpoint… There’s really been some biblical stuff all through my catalog anyway, however from the eyes of a Christian now, like, man, there’s a lot inspiration there that hopefully would have a superb impact on individuals. So I hope that comes again to me. I hope that it’s, like, ‘Okay, it’s time. Activate.’ However I don’t know.”
You possibly can watch the complete interview with Schaffer beneath.