Jared Wise, a former FBI supervisory agent, has been taken into custody on allegations of participating in the U.S. Capitol riot, where he reportedly encouraged the mob to attack law enforcement officers, as stated by federal authorities.
The affidavit of an FBI agent claims that Wise continuously yelled, “Kill ’em!” while observing the assault on officers outside the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Wise was arrested on Monday in Oregon and faces misdemeanour charges, including entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds.
Wise, aged 50, served as a special agent or supervisory special agent for the FBI between 2004 and 2017, as detailed in the affidavit. The FBI has not provided further information on Wise’s employment with the agency.
The FBI directed inquiries to public court documents and declined to comment further. Security camera footage from January 6 reportedly shows Wise inside the Capitol, where a crowd of Donald Trump supporters disrupted the congressional certification of President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral win.
According to the affidavit, Wise entered the building through the Senate wing door, raised his arms, and clapped in celebration. He exited the building approximately nine minutes later. Police body camera footage captured Wise later verbally attacking officers outside the Capitol and repeatedly shouting, “Shame on you!”
Wise reportedly told the officers, “You guys are disgusting. I’m former law enforcement. You’re disgusting. You are the Nazi. You are the Gestapo. You can’t see it.” The FBI received a tip in January 2022 regarding Wise’s presence at the Capitol on January 6.
A federal magistrate judge released Wise from custody following his initial court appearance in Eugene, Oregon. According to the affidavit, Wise lived in New Braunfels, Texas, until June 2022, when he relocated to Bend, Oregon.
Wise’s attorney in Oregon has not yet responded to requests for comment. The Capitol insurrection on January 6 resulted in injuries to over 100 officers, and more than 1,000 individuals have been charged with federal crimes associated with the event.
Since his arrest, the case of Jared Wise has gained significant media attention due to his former position within the FBI. It has raised concerns about the potential involvement of other law enforcement officials in the Capitol insurrection.
Authorities have been investigating the backgrounds of those charged with the Capitol riot, looking for any links to extremist groups or potential ties to law enforcement. Several current and former law enforcement officers have been implicated in the events of January 6, sparking a debate over the need for more robust background checks and ongoing evaluations of law enforcement personnel.
While Wise’s arrest has reignited discussions on law enforcement’s role in the insurrection, it is also a reminder of the ongoing investigations and prosecutions related to the Capitol riot. The Department of Justice has been working diligently to identify and charge those responsible for the events of that day, with new arrests and charges continually being announced.
As the legal proceedings continue, the long-term impact of the Capitol riot on the United States’ political landscape and its effect on public trust in law enforcement remains to be seen. The case of Jared Wise is just one of many that highlight the challenges the nation faces in addressing the root causes of the insurrection and ensuring the security of its democratic institutions in the future.
