Rioters who stormed US Capitol make emotional appeals to Donald Trump for pardons

Jenna Ryan, a rioter who took a private jet to the US Capitol, is pleading for a pardon.
Jenna Ryan, a rioter who took a private jet to the US Capitol, is pleading for a pardon. Photo credit: CBS11/Getty

Rioters who stormed the US Capitol building last week are now pleading for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.

Texas real estate broker Jenna Ryan, who took a private jet to join the rioters at Capitol hill, has pleaded with the outgoing US President for a pardon after being arrested by federal authorities.

"We all deserve a pardon," Ryan told CBS11 after surrendering to the FBI.

"I'm facing a prison sentence, I think I do not deserve that.

"I would like a pardon from the President of the United States."

Ryan was hit with federal charges on Friday (local time). A video showed FBI agents entering her Carrollton home after investigators found significant evidence online that she attended the pro-Trump riot on January 6.

In a video of Ryan at the riots, she's heard shouting: "You're messing with the wrong people!

"You tried to make us into Venezuela, you know what? We are armed and dangerous!"

During a Facebook live video of Ryan at the riots, she said: "We are going to f**king go in here. Life or death, it doesn't matter. Here we go."

On Thursday (NZ time), Trump was impeached for "incitement of insurrection" by encouraging a violent assault at Capitol hill that left five people dead, including local police officer Brian Sicknick.

"He asked us to fly there, he asked us to be there," Ryan told CBS11.

"I was doing what he asked us to do - Do I feel like a criminal? No."

Ryan says she does not "feel like she did anything wrong" and being at the Capitol riots felt "noble" and is something she's proud of.

"I feel very persecuted and very misjudged."

While at the riots, Ryan promoted her real estate business at the steps of the Capitol, saying to the camera: "Y'all know who to hire for your realtor. Jenna Ryan for your realtor."

The FBI has identified more than 200 suspects in relation to the Capitol riots - more than 100 people have been arrested.

Rioters are being charged with gun-related offences, violent entry, and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, assaulting a federal law enforcement officer and threatening House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The lawyer of Jacob Chansley, a rioter known as "QAnon shaman", has also asked for a presidential pardon for his client, saying Trump "needs to be accountable" for encouraging the rioters.

Jacob Anthony Chansley.
Jacob Anthony Chansley. Photo credit: Getty

Chansley, who wore a fur hat, face paint, and held a spear at the riot, has been charged with the unlawful and violent entry of the Capitol building, as well as "active participation in an insurrection" to overthrow the US Government.

Lawyer Albert Watkins told CNN that his client felt "he was answering the call" of Trump by entering the Capitol building.

Watkins said Trump should do the "honourable thing and pardon those of his peaceful followers who accepted the president's invitation".