Iced Earth’s Jon Schaffer Breaks Silence in First Interview Since U.S. Capitol Riot Arrest: “I Made Serious Mistakes”

Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer has given his first interview since his arrest for participating in the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Schaffer was captured on security footage and in photographs among the mob storming an entrance of the building. He was taken into custody shortly after the events and remained detained for three months.

Upon his initial arrest, Schaffer faced six charges, including:

1. Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority
2. Disrupting the Orderly Conduct of Government Business
3. Knowingly Engaging in an Act of Physical Violence Against any Person or Property in a Restricted Building or Grounds
4. Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building
5. Engaging in an Act of Physical Violence in a Capitol Building
6. Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building

Authorities alleged that Schaffer had ties to the far-right militia group Oath Keepers, a claim the organization later disputed. He ultimately cooperated with investigators, providing what was described as “substantial assistance.”

Schaffer eventually reached a plea agreement, pleading guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress and trespassing on restricted Capitol grounds while armed with bear spray. In October 2024, he was sentenced to three years probation, ordered to pay $2,200 in restitution, and required to complete 120 hours of community service.

Following his sentencing, Schaffer expressed regret for his actions. He has now given his first interview since the incident on the church-affiliated podcast ‘It Is Later Than You Think.’ During the conversation, he reflected on his motivations for attending the protests that escalated into the Capitol riot:

“In the famous interview that I did [at a November 2020 Donald Trump rally in Washington, D.C.] that they showed everywhere, I said, this isn’t about President Trump. I mean, I believe that he’s a good man who loves his country. But the American people are worked up because we’re sick of the tyranny.”

Schaffer described his presence at the riot as a result of frustration with the political system, though he admitted that his actions were not well thought out:

“Now I realize my behavior wasn’t the greatest behavior and wasn’t the smartest thing that I ever did, but it was entrapment—one hundred percent. I mean, there’s no doubt. The truth is gonna come out about this. The bad thing is I know better. But I let my emotions get a whole handle on me.”

Schaffer recounted his experience navigating the large crowd to the Capitol, claiming that the chaos was already unfolding by the time he arrived. He stated that he had not witnessed any forced breaches of entrances firsthand but noted the increasing disorder as he moved forward. He described his entry into the building as follows:

“The doorway that I went in, there was no handles on the doorway. These were doors that I’m certain are very secure. I saw the police officer—he was masked up, but I still identified him—communicating. I saw him through the glass communicating… I’m assuming that he was telling central command there to unlock those doors, because those doors, I can almost guarantee you, are magnetically sealed.”

Schaffer insisted that he did not witness any violence from his perspective and suggested that much of the mainstream media’s narrative about the day was manipulated.

Since his arrest, Schaffer has embraced religion, getting baptized and attending church regularly. He described his baptism as a personal choice and a symbolic fresh start:

“It was a choice that I wanted to make. That’s all, really. There’s nothing more to it… I think the next level after me studying God’s word was when I forgave my parents. That was a big step. It was a huge one.”

Schaffer also dismissed reports of deep involvement with the Oath Keepers, stating that he had simply signed up as a supporter years ago but was never actively involved:

“There’s the whole fake story of the Oath Keepers thing. I mean, yes, I signed up to be a supporter of Oath Keepers when it first started. I don’t even remember what year that was… I saw an interview with [Oath Keepers founder] Stewart [Rhodes] and I was just, like, ‘Yeah.’ I mean, who wouldn’t want elected officials and first responders in the military to take their oath seriously? Why is that a bad thing?”

Schaffer further claimed that authorities pressured him to remain silent about what he believed was a misleading narrative surrounding the Oath Keepers and the Capitol riot:

“I couldn’t say anything. I was threatened to make any public statement—threatened. ‘It’s gonna go very bad for you at sentencing if you say anything.’ Because they knew they were creating a false narrative.”

Schaffer asserted that those arrested for their roles in the Capitol riot have faced extreme political persecution:

“I think the J6ers, besides our president, have gone through possibly the worst political persecution, probably the worst political persecution in the history of the country. And the damage that’s done, some of it’s never gonna be repaired.”

As he continues his probation, Schaffer maintains that he was caught in a chaotic situation and expresses hope that the full story will eventually be revealed. His recent remarks reflect a mix of regret, defiance, and a newfound focus on faith as he moves forward from the events of January 6.

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