Former Olympic swimmer Klete Keller, once one of the most high-profile individuals charged for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot, has been pardoned by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump. Keller, a five-time Olympic medalist, described the pardon as a major relief, saying he no longer has to report to his probation officer.
Klete Keller’s Legal Troubles and Pardon
Keller was sentenced in December 2023 to six months of home confinement and 36 months of probation for his role in the Capitol riot. He had pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding, leading to the dismissal of six other non-violent charges.
Despite prosecutors recommending a 10-month jail sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon opted for home confinement. Instead of prison time, the judge encouraged Keller to share his story with young people, believing this would be a more constructive use of his time.
With Trump’s pardon, Keller’s criminal record is now cleared, and his legal obligations have officially ended. He expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to move forward with his life.
Keller’s Role in the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot
During the January 6, 2021 riot, Keller was captured on camera inside the U.S. Capitol building, wearing his Team USA Olympic jacket. He was among the nearly 1,600 people charged in connection with the attack, which left 140 police officers injured and temporarily halted Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
Although he was not accused of violence, his presence at the riot and his participation in unlawfully entering the Capitol led to his legal troubles. Following his guilty plea, Keller cooperated with authorities and publicly expressed remorse for his actions.
Klete Keller’s Olympic Legacy
Before his legal troubles, Keller was best known for his achievements in swimming. He competed for Team USA in three Olympic Games (2000, 2004, and 2008), winning five medals. One of his most notable victories came in the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he swam the anchor leg in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, securing a gold medal for the U.S. alongside swimming legends Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.
At 42, Keller is now focused on rebuilding his life and moving past the events of January 6. He has reiterated his love for the United States and his regret for his actions that day.
Trump’s Pardons and Legal Implications
Keller’s pardon is part of a broader list of nearly 1,600 pardons granted by President Trump as he assumes office again. Trump’s own federal charges related to January 6 were dropped after his 2024 election victory, following a Justice Department policy that prevents the prosecution of a sitting president.
With this pardon, Keller can now move forward without the burden of a felony conviction, though the broader debate over accountability for the Capitol riot continues.
Klete Keller’s journey from Olympic champion to convicted felon and now a pardoned individual is a dramatic turn in his life. His story highlights the ongoing legal and political debates surrounding the January 6 riot. While his pardon allows him to move on, the larger implications of Trump’s mass pardons remain a subject of national discussion.
