New Maryland bills seek to block Jan. 6 rioters pardoned by Trump from state office

Uniformed FBI agent helps clear US Capitol of rioters Jan. 6, 2021. Photo: Matt Laslo

By Scott MacFarlane for WTOP

MARYLAND — Montgomery County State Senate Democrat Cheryl Kagan pushing new bill that would prohibit any convicted January 6 rioter from being appointed to any Maryland State board, task force or commission.

Kagan argues Maryland should be on the forefront of ensuring some accountability for pardoned January 6 rioters, and she notes the issue is not just theoretical. One of the arrested January 6 defendants was a former state elections board member.

Audiogram of Scott MacFarlanes March 20, 2026 WTOP report on Jan. 6, 2021 legislation winding through Maryland.

Next one coming Rockville State Senate Democrat Cheryl Kagan is pushing this new measure to prohibit any pardoned January 6 convicted rioter from being appointed to a Maryland State board, task force or commission.

Testifying alongside Kagan in support of the bill was January 6 responder and former US Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, who says it's important for accountability and that victims and police can't move on from January 6 until there is some accountability.

This piece first aired on WTOP.