Recently pardoned Capitol rioter Zachary Jordan Alam has been arrested for burglary just months after President Trump released him from an eight-year prison sentence for his role in the January 6 events.
Key Takeaways
- Zachary Jordan Alam, 33, was arrested on May 9 in Virginia on felony burglary charges, less than four months after receiving a presidential pardon.
- Alam had been serving an eight-year prison sentence for his involvement in the Capitol events, where he was described as one of the most violent participants.
- His actions during January 6 included smashing door panels and windows near where Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot.
- Alam is one of over 1,500 January 6 participants pardoned by President Trump who have subsequently faced new legal issues.
- He had previously requested “a full pardon with all benefits” and rejected what he called a “second-class pardon.”
New Legal Troubles Following Presidential Pardon
Zachary Jordan Alam, a 33-year-old from Centreville, Virginia, was taken into custody on May 9 in Henrico County after allegedly breaking into a home and stealing multiple items. This arrest comes less than four months after Alam was released from federal prison through President Trump’s January 20 pardon of over 1,500 individuals who participated in the Capitol events. Alam had been serving a 96-month sentence with 36 months of supervised release before his pardon, one of the longest terms handed down to January 6 participants.
According to court records, Alam allegedly entered a residence through a rear door and was confronted by residents before attempting to flee. Law enforcement promptly apprehended him near the property. This incident adds to Alam’s extensive criminal history, which includes previous arrests for burglary, grand larceny, assault, disorderly conduct, and vandalism. His preliminary hearing for the burglary charge is scheduled for late June in Henrico County court.
Violent Actions During Capitol Events
During the events of January 6, Alam was documented helping fellow protesters scale barriers, entering the Capitol through a broken window, and attempting to breach the House chamber. He participated in the “Stop the Steal” rally before joining others at the Capitol. Court records describe him as one of the most violent participants that day, particularly for his role in smashing glass door panels and windows near the Speaker’s Lobby, where Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot while attempting to climb through a broken window.
“Those are not the actions of a patriot. To say otherwise is delusional,” said U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich when sentencing Alam prior to his pardon.
The Trump administration later settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Babbitt’s family for nearly $5 million. Alam’s presence and actions at that critical location made him a key figure in the events that unfolded during the protest. Despite the severity of his actions, Alam has repeatedly expressed no remorse for his participation, maintaining his conviction in the righteousness of his cause.
Pattern Among Pardoned Protesters
Alam is not alone among pardoned January 6 participants who have faced subsequent legal issues. Another pardoned individual, Andrew Taake, was recently re-arrested on separate charges. This pattern has raised questions about the rehabilitation of those released through presidential pardons. In some cases, defendants facing unrelated charges have successfully argued in court that their crimes were only discovered due to investigations into their Capitol involvement, resulting in dropped charges.
“I believed in my heart I was doing the right thing. Sometimes you have to break the rules to do what’s right,” stated Zachary Jordan Alam during his original court proceedings, showing his steadfast belief in his actions.
Prior to his pardon, Alam had demanded a full pardon with all the benefits that come with it, including full compensation, declaring, “I will not accept a second-class pardon.” His personal background includes graduating from the University of Virginia before dropping out of the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. His defense attorney previously described him as a troubled loner, while his mother noted his struggles with rejection, substance abuse, and a history of minor crimes.
