Jacob Chansley, the man known as the “QAnon Shaman,” is speaking out for the first time since being in jail after storming the U.S. Capitol on the day electoral votes were being tallied.
Chansley became recognizable during the insurrection as he wore face paint and bull horns while carrying the American flag.
Laurie Segall, a reporter for “60 Minutes+” asked Chansley during an interview what it was about former President Donald Trump that he felt so “fiercely” loyal to.
“I developed a lot of sympathy for Donald Trump because it seemed like the media was picking on him and seemed like the establishment was going after him unnecessarily or unfairly, and I had been a victim of that all of my life, whether it be in school or at home,” he replied.
Chansley continued, “I identify with a lot of the negative things that he was going through.”
“I honestly believed and still believe that he cares about the Constitution, that he cares about the American people, and that’s also why and you know it wounded me so deeply and why it disappointed me so greatly that I and others did not get a pardon.”
Watch his comments below:
The "QAnon Shaman" of the January 6th attack on the Capitol tells his story for the first time from jail, as he faces up to 20 years behind bars.
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) March 4, 2021
Jacob Chansley spoke with @60minutes+'s @LaurieSegall pic.twitter.com/uhUuFNHRvf
Segall pressed Chansley on whether he regrets his loyalty to the former president.
“I regret entering that building. I regret entering that building with every fiber of my being,” he explained.
Chansley made it clear he did not regret his loyalty to Trump.
He defended his actions saying they “were not an attack on this country.” He called the suggestion “incorrect” and “inaccurate.”
Segall asked Chansley how he would describe his actions during the insurrection.
“I sang a song and that’s a part of shamanism. It’s about creating positive vibrations in a sacred chamber,” he said.
Chansley continued, “I also stopped people from stealing and vandalizing that sacred space, the Senate.”
He claimed he intended to “bring God” back into the Senate.
A judge is expected to hear arguments on Friday on whether Chansley should be released before his trial. He is facing up to 20 years in prison.
