Capitol Rioter Jacob Chansley Wants His Viking Headgear Back From FBI
Jacob Chansley, infamous for the Vikings headgear with horns worn during the Jan. 6 riots, told The Daily Beast he wants his horns back.
Also known as the “QAnon Shaman,” Chansley spent 27 months in prison for his role in the notorious Capitol Hill attack, being spotted in many pictures wearing his animated headpiece. The FBI confiscated the horns when he turned himself in on obstruction charges, but now Chansley feels that since his time is done, it is time for his belongings to be returned.
“The case is over, so there’s no reason for them to continue holding onto it,” he said. “They’re keeping it like it’s evidence.”
The Phoenix native was one of 30 rioters who made it inside the Capitol building first, according to prosecutors. Once inside, he made his way to the Senate gallery alone, shouting “Time’s up, mother*******,” on the way. He missed former Vice President Mike Pence, who had been sitting at the dais preparing for a peaceful transfer of power by an hour. Chansley took selfies and wrote Pence a note saying, “It’s Only A Matter of Time. Justice Is Coming.”
He has since apologized for his actions but has continued his admiration for the now four-time indicted Donald Trump. If his property is returned to him, Chansley is unsure if it will be seen at campaign events.
“There’s been mixed emotions about it,” he said. “People say that I’m not being taken seriously. Other people are like, ‘Oh, I fricking love it!’”
In the meantime, the horns can be seen on his website, selling t-shirts with his likeness, calling himself “America’s Shaman.”
Serving 27 of his 41-month sentence, Chansley was granted supervised release for good behavior and three years probation. Comparing himself to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesus during a podcast interview, he has been banned from voting but has his eye on a political career.
He may have someone to back his political endeavors. Controversial Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) said she was “honored” to meet Chansley during the Turning Point USA conference in December 2023. On Twitter, she described his treatment as “horrendous” but was “amazed” by his positive attitude.