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Jacob Chansley

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Jake Angeli
Angeli in his shaman dress on a sidewalk, holding a "Q sent me" sign
Angeli in 2020
Born
Jacob Anthony Angeli Chansley

c. 1988 (age 35–36)
Other names
  • Q Shaman
  • QAnon Shaman
  • Yellowstone Wolf
EducationGlendale Community College
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branch United States Navy
Years of service2005–2007
RankStorekeeper Seaman Apprentice[1]

Jake Angeli (born Jacob Anthony Angeli Chansley; c. 1988),[2] also known as the "QAnon Shaman", "Q Shaman", and "Yellowstone Wolf",[3][4] is an American conspiracy theorist, actor,[5] author, and activist who participated in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol. He is a supporter of former President Donald Trump and a proponent of the QAnon conspiracy theory.[6][7]

As a conspirator, Angeli has participated in demonstrations in the Phoenix area since at least 2019.[8] He has attended rallies promoting various conspiracy theories, supporting Donald Trump, supporting the environment, and has counter-protested at Black Lives Matter rallies. He has self-published two books.

After being photographed taking part in the storming of the Capitol, Angeli was arrested on January 9 on federal charges of "knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds".[9][10][11]

In the prosecution case against Chansley, prosecutors wrote that "strong evidence, including Chansley's own words and actions at the Capitol, supports that the intent of the Capitol rioters was to capture and assassinate elected officials in the United States government." The filing describes Chansley as "a self-proclaimed leader of the QAnon" and drug user who "demonstrates scattered and fanciful thoughts, and is unable to appreciate reality. He is the shaman of a dangerous extremist group, putting his beliefs into action by attempting to violently overthrow the United States government."[12]

He has since disavowed his allegiance to Trump and wishes to testify against him, believing he was "betrayed" by the former President when he did not receive a pardon for his involvement in the violent insurrection on January 6th, 2021.[13]

Early life

Jake Angeli was born c. 1988,[2] to Martha Chansley.[14] He attended Moon Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona, and Glendale Community College, where he completed some coursework in psychology, religion, philosophy, and ceramics.[15][16]

Career

Angeli enlisted in the United States Navy on September 26, 2005. After boot camp and training as a supply clerk, he was assigned to the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier in March 2006. At some point, he refused to take an anthrax vaccine and was scheduled for dismissal from the Navy. On September 29, 2007, he was sent to a Transient Personnel Unit in Puget Sound in Washington state, and was processed out of the Navy on October 11. After two years and 15 days in uniform, his final rank was Storekeeper Seaman Apprentice.[17][18]

Other activities

Angeli says that before his political activity he worked as an actor and voice-over artist, and kept a profile on the Backstage website.[5] Angeli has self-published two books: Will & Power: Inside the Living Library (Volume 1), published in 2017 under the pen name Loan Wolf; and One Mind at a Time: A Deep State of Illusion, published in 2020 under the name Jacob Angeli.[16] He produced and narrated 11 videos espousing various conspiracy theories and uploaded them to the platform Rumble in late 2020.[19]

Activist

See also: Trumpism

Angeli has been a supporter of Donald Trump,[8][20][21][22] has a social media following, and has attended rallies supporting QAnon mostly in and around Phoenix.[8] At various rallies in Arizona, he shouted about QAnon conspiracy theories and carried a sign that says "Q Sent Me".[23]

Before attending far-right rallies, Angeli was noticed in 2019 for frequently protesting alone outside the Arizona Capitol, espousing various conspiracy theories.[24] He was reported as a shamanic practitioner when attending a climate activism protest in Arizona.[25] He began wearing his distinctive fur hat and face paint to attract attention so that he could then talk about QAnon and "other truths", he told The Arizona Republic in early 2020;[8] in 2021 he called his outfit "Shaman" dress.[24] He appeared at a Black Lives Matter protest in the Phoenix area in order to spread the QAnon conspiracy theory.[26] He protested COVID-19 lockdowns in Arizona.

Following the 2020 United States presidential election, Angeli's protests focused on challenging the results of the vote in Arizona.[8][27] He camped outside the Maricopa County Courthouse during the vote counting process,[28] and gave a speech at a rally there on November 7, the day that president-elect Joe Biden announced his win, declaring, "This election has not been called! Don't believe that lie! They got their hands caught in the cookie jar and we're going to the Supreme Court! Trump always looks like he's going to lose. And then he wins."[22]

Participation in Capitol storming

Court transcripts reveal Angeli told the FBI that he had traveled to the Capitol "as a part of a group effort, with other 'patriots' from Arizona, at the request of the President that all 'patriots' come to DC on January 6, 2021".[29]

During the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol on January 6, Angeli entered the United States Senate floor in the Capitol, wearing his shamanic attire, including a horned fur headdress, and war paint in red, white, and blue, as well as carrying a six-foot-high (1.8 m) spear, with an American flag tied below the blade.[30] He was also photographed standing on the raised platform in front of Vice President Mike Pence's chair, gaining him significant media attention. He later said police had initially blocked the crowd from entry, but had then specifically allowed them entry, at which point he entered.[31] After the riot, Angeli told reporters, "The fact that we had a bunch of our traitors in office hunker down, put on their gas masks and retreat into their underground bunker, I consider that a win."[4]

On January 8, Angeli was posted as a person of interest with the Washington DC Police.[32] Interviewed while wanted, Angeli said that he believed he did nothing wrong, telling NBC: "I walked through an open door, dude."[4] On January 8, Angeli told KPNX that he "wasn't worried" about possible charges.[33] Angeli had no criminal record in Arizona before taking part in the riot.[23]

On January 9, Angeli was arrested and brought up on U.S. federal charges of "knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds".[9] A Capitol police special agent was quoted as saying that he pegged Angeli by his "unique attire and extensive tattoos covering his arms and left side of his torso".[34] Angeli voluntarily spoke to the Washington Field Office of the FBI prior to his arrest.[35] Once in prison, Angeli reportedly refused to eat because the food served was not organic.[36] Subsequently, a court ordered that he receive organic food.[37] In a January 14 court filing, federal prosecutors said that Angeli had left a note on Pence's desk in the Senate chamber that said "It's only a matter of time, justice is coming."[38]

Defense

As of January 15, 2021, Angeli is legally represented by St. Louis attorney Albert Watkins, who had previously represented Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the couple involved in the St. Louis gun-toting controversy.[39] In a written statement, Watkins argued that Angeli had no part in the violence, did not hide his identity, was unarmed, not destructive, and followed the instructions of law enforcement officials in a respectful fashion; and that Angeli was carrying a megaphone so his voice could be heard. Watkins also said in an interview with KSDK in St. Louis, "He is responsible for his actions. He regrets where he is today", as well as suggesting President Trump pardon Angeli before the President left office.[40]

His attorney publicly called on President Trump to pardon his client,[41] arguing that Angeli had been unarmed, not violent, and not destructive, and had been acting on the "invitation" of the president.[42]

Angeli made overtures for a presidential pardon from Trump through White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.[43] After Angeli did not get a presidential pardon from Trump, his lawyer issued a statement saying, "He (Angeli) regrets very very much having not just been duped by the President, but by being in a position where he allowed that duping to put him in a position to make decisions he should not have made."[3][43]

According to his lawyer, Angeli is prepared to testify against Trump in his second impeachment trial.[44]

False claims

After the storming of the Capitol, users on Facebook circulated rumors that said Angeli was associated with the anti-fascist Antifa movement or the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and had infiltrated the event as an agent provocateur.[45] In a January 6 tweet from his Twitter account, USAwolfpack, Angeli responded to speculations made by Trump campaign lawyer Lin Wood: "Mr. Wood. I am not antifa or blm. I'm a Qanon & digital soldier. My name is Jake & I marched with the police & fought against BLM & ANTIFA [in] PHX."[46][47] Snopes investigated the statement, concluding that he did attend a BLM rally, that he is not affiliated with Antifa, and is an active Trump supporter.[45]

There was also speculation that Angeli colluded with Nancy Pelosi's son-in-law, Michiel Vos, seen in a photo with him outside the U.S. Capitol Building. Snopes wrote that Vos is a reporter with the Dutch free-to-air television channel RTL, and the image is from a story on the protests which Vos wrote for Dutch news program RTL Boulevard.[48]

False rumors spread as users on social media mistook Angeli for Jay Kay, the lead singer of Jamiroquai, with people referring to him as "Jamiroquai" or "Pseudo Jamiroquai".[49] This case of mistaken identity comes from a supposed visual resemblance and that Kay has worn a Native American war bonnet while performing. On the day after the Capitol attack, Kay released a short video telling his fans that he was not associated with the protest, stating "It wasn't my crowd".[24][50][51]

Beliefs

Angeli has stated his belief that televisions and radios emit "very specific frequencies that are inaudible" and "affect the brain waves of your brain".[16] Angeli also stated his belief in the Bilderberg conspiracy and his belief that Freemasons designed Washington, D.C. according to "ley lines" that amplify the Earth's magnetic field.[16] In reflecting on the Capitol storming, Angeli said that "What we did on Jan. 6 in many ways was an evolution in consciousness, because as we marched down the street along these ley lines shouting 'USA' or shouting things like 'freedom'... we were actually affecting the quantum realm."[16]

When asked about her son's views in 2021, Martha Chansley told ABC15 Arizona that "it takes a lot of courage to be a patriot".[14]

Prosecutors have alleged that Angeli believes he is an alien or higher being, and he is destined to ascend to another reality.[52]

References

  1. ^ Ziezulewicz, Geoff. "'QAnon Shaman' charged with storming the Capitol is a Navy veteran". Air Force Times. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "¿Quién es Q-Shaman, el joven con cuernos que entró en el Capitolio?". euronews (in Spanish). January 7, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Capitol rioters express regret for participating in unrest after not getting a pardon from former President Trump". www.ksdk.com. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Schapiro, Rich; Kosnar, Michael (January 7, 2021). "Capitol rioter in horned hat gloats as feds work to identify suspects". NBC News. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Graziosi, Graig (January 8, 2021). "Jake Angeli: What we know about the 'QAnon shaman' who stormed the US Capitol". The Independent. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  6. ^ McCarthy, Bill. "Face-painted man in horned fur cap at Capitol riot supports Trump and QAnon, not antifa". Politifact. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  7. ^ "El asaltante disfrazado de búfalo, un partidario de Trump que defiende la conspiración QAnon". ABC (in Spanish). January 7, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e Ruelas, Richard (January 7, 2021). "Longtime Arizona QAnon supporter in horned helmet joins storming of U.S. Capitol". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Ruelas, Richard. "Unsealed indictment reveals more counts against Jake Angeli, QAnon shaman, for U.S. Capitol raid". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  10. ^ (Federal Bureau Of Investigation), FBI (January 14, 2021). "Seeking Information (Violence At The United States Capitol)" (PDF). FBI (Federal Bureau Of Investigation) (Wanted Poster (shows Jake Angeli as already arrested, (in 3rd picture when going left to right.)). Archived (PDF) from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021. Arrested {{cite web}}: Check |first= value (help)
  11. ^ "Three Men Charged in Connection with Events at U.S. Capitol". United States Department of Justice. January 9, 2021. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  12. ^ Hanlon, Greg. "Capitol Rioters, Including Man in Headdress, Sought 'to Capture and Assassinate' Politicians: Feds". People. People. Retrieved February 7th, 2021. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  13. ^ Gerstein, Julie. "The QAnon Shaman says he's willing to testify at Trump's impeachment trial — against the president". Business Insider. Retrieved February 7th, 2021. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  14. ^ a b Palmer, Ewan (January 8, 2021). "Multiple "QAnon Shaman" videos resurface after Jake Angeli leads siege of Capitol". Newsweek. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  15. ^ Blasius, Melissa (January 8, 2021). "Mom of furry-hatted Capitol rioter from Arizona defends his patriotism". KNXV. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  16. ^ a b c d e Kunkle, Fredrick (January 9, 2021). "Trump supporter in horns and fur is charged in Capitol riot". Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  17. ^ Clark, James (January 12, 2021). "The 'QAnon shaman' guy got kicked out of the Navy for refusing a vaccine". Task & Purpose. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  18. ^ Harkins, Gina (January 11, 2021). "'QAnon Shaman' Arrested for Storming the US Capitol Is a Navy Veteran". Military.com. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  19. ^ "Search results for: YellowstoneWolfAZ". Rumble. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  20. ^ Johnson, Jamie (January 7, 2021). "Jake Angeli: The 'QAnon shaman' from Arizona at the heart of the Capitol riots". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  21. ^ "Horned, shirtless man at the Capitol demonstration identified". ABC News 8. January 6, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  22. ^ a b Snow, Anita; Goldman, David; Pane, Lisa Marie (November 7, 2020). "Biden win sparks smattering of protests; most stay peaceful". Daily Herald. Chicago. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  23. ^ a b Stapleton, Erica (January 7, 2021). "Jake Angeli: The story behind the horned Arizona protester in the Capitol unrest". KPNX. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  24. ^ a b c Matthews, David (January 7, 2021). "Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay denies being at D.C. riot: 'I wasn't with all those freaks'". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  25. ^ "Hundreds march in Arizona in solidarity with climate strikes around the world". AZ central. September 20, 2019. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  26. ^ Choiniere, Alyssa (January 7, 2021). "'Jake Angeli', Whose Real Name Is Jacob Chansley, Has Been Arrested". Heavy.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  27. ^ "Hundreds gather outside state Capitol to protest Ducey stay-at-home order". AZ central. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  28. ^ Moakley, Paul (November 6, 2020). "Scenes from Election Protests in Maricopa County Arizona". Time. Archived from the original on December 14, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  29. ^ Polantz, Katelyn (January 9, 2021). "US Capitol rioter in headdress told FBI he came to Washington based on prompt from Trump". CNN. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  30. ^ Barnes, Sophia (January 9, 2021). "Capitol Rioter Seen in Horned Hat, Carrying Spear Arrested: US Attorney". NBC Washington 4. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  31. ^ Gabbatt, Adam (January 7, 2021). "Faces of extremism: the rioters behind the attack on the US Capitol". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  32. ^ "Jake Angeli: The story behind the horned Arizona protester in the Capitol unrest". KVOA. January 7, 2021. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  33. ^ Stapleton, Erica (January 8, 2021). "Jake Angeli: The story behind the horned Arizona protester in the Capitol unrest". 12 News. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  34. ^ Ruelas, Richard; Harris, Craig. "Jake Angeli, who wore fur hat and horns as mob raided U.S. Capitol, arrested and charged". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  35. ^ Lonas, Lexi (January 9, 2021). "Fur-clad man who entered Capitol says he acted after Trump put out call to 'patriots'". TheHill.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  36. ^ Rambaran, Vandana (January 12, 2021). "Shirtless, horned Capitol rioter refuses to eat because jail won't serve organic food". Fox News. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  37. ^ Thorpe, Isha (January 12, 2021). "Pro-Trump rioter will reportedly be fed the organic food he wants in jail". Revolt. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  38. ^ Armus, Teo (January 15, 2021). "Rioters wanted to 'capture and assassinate' lawmakers, prosecutors say. A note left by the 'QAnon Shaman' is evidence". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  39. ^ "'Slimeball Lives Matter' | McCloskey attorney responds to leaked messages". KMOV. September 15, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  40. ^ Cole, Ashley (January 15, 2021). "St. Louis lawyer representing Capitol rioter seen in viral photos says Trump should pardon him". WTIC-TV. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  41. ^ Back, George. "Attorney for 'QAnon Shaman' says Trump has an 'obligation' to pardon his supporters who attacked Capitol". Yahoo. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  42. ^ Lowry, Bryan (January 14, 2021). "Missouri lawyer and Greitens foe takes 'QAnon Shaman' case after Capitol riot charges". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  43. ^ a b "St. Louis attorney's statement on client not being pardoned in Capitol riot". ksdk.com. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  44. ^ "Capitol Hill rioter 'QAnon Shaman' wants to testify against Trump, says lawyer". CBC Radio. January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  45. ^ a b MacGuill, Dan (January 7, 2021). "Was Capitol Rioter in Horns and Furs an Antifa Instigator Who Took Part in BLM Protests?". Snopes. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  46. ^ USAwolfpack tweet Archived January 9, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, January 6, 2021.
  47. ^ Palmer, Ewan (January 7, 2021). "'QAnon Shaman' Who Stormed Capitol Denies He Is Antifa as Conspiracy Theorists Turn on Him". Newsweek. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  48. ^ MacGuill, Dan (January 7, 2021). "Did 'Antifa' Jake Angeli Collude With Nancy Pelosi's Son-in-Law?". Snopes. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  49. ^ Brandle, Lars (January 7, 2021). "Jamiroquai Is Trending For Reasons You Just Couldn't Make Up". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  50. ^ McCarthy, Tyler (January 7, 2021). "Jamiroquai lead singer Jay Kay denies he was at Capitol riots after fans mistake him for man in horned helmet". Fox News. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  51. ^ Sutton, Candace (January 7, 2021). "Horned man who stormed the Capitol revealed as actor and hardcore Trumpist". News.com.au. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  52. ^ "U.S. federal officials say more than 100 people in custody so far in Capitol riot investigation". CBC News. January 15, 2021. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
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