Rioter pardoned by Trump convicted of conspiracy to murder FBI agents

Edward Kelly, a January 6 rioter pardoned by Donald Trump last January, has been sentenced to life in prison.

He was convicted of planning the assassination of FBI special agents investigating his role in the Capitol insurrection.

Kelly was convicted in November 2024, several months before receiving a presidential pardon from Donald Trump for his involvement in the events of January 6.

The court found the defendant guilty of three serious crimes, including conspiracy to murder U.S. government employees.

He was sentenced to life for inciting an act of violence and threatening federal agents in an attempt to intimidate or retaliate.

Federal prosecutors described Kelly as a man “remorseless” for his actions. Calling himself a “patriot”, he allegedly organized paramilitary exercises, planned his operation in detail and drew up a hit list of federal agents.

Kelly and his lawyers had tried, unsuccessfully, to use the pardon granted by Donald Trump to have his trial in this case quashed. Edward Kelly will therefore remain in prison.