Just months after receiving a presidential pardon for his violent role in the January 6 Capitol riot, Zachary Jordan Alam now faces felony burglary charges in Virginia, raising serious questions about the consequences of pardoning individuals with extensive criminal histories.
Key Takeaways
- Zachary Jordan Alam, 33, was arrested for felony burglary in Virginia on May 9, less than four months after being pardoned by President Trump for his Capitol riot involvement.
- Alam was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for his role as one of the most violent participants in the January 6 events, including smashing windows near where Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot.
- Before his pardon, Alam showed no remorse for his actions, claiming he was “doing the right thing” and demanding “full compensation” rather than a “second-class pardon.”
- Alam’s extensive criminal history includes prior arrests for burglary, grand larceny, assault, disorderly conduct, and vandalism.
- His case highlights a concerning trend of pardoned January 6 participants being re-arrested for new crimes.
From Capitol Riot to Presidential Pardon
Zachary Jordan Alam’s journey from the Capitol riot to his recent arrest represents a troubling pattern of criminal behavior. The 33-year-old Centreville, Virginia, resident was one of over 1,500 January 6 participants pardoned by President Trump on January 20, 2025. Before his pardon, Alam was serving a 96-month sentence with 36 months of supervised release for his exceptionally violent behavior during the Capitol breach. During the January 6 events, Alam helped rioters scale barriers, entered the Capitol through a broken window, and attempted to breach the House chamber, marking him as one of the most aggressive participants in the day’s violence.
Alam’s actions at the Capitol were particularly notorious as he was directly involved in the tragic incident where Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot while trying to climb through a broken window. Court records show Alam smashed door panels and windows near the Speaker’s Lobby moments before Babbitt’s death. The Trump administration later settled a wrongful-death lawsuit with Babbitt’s family for nearly $5 million, recognizing the tragedy that unfolded that day while addressing the legitimate concerns of those who peacefully protested election irregularities.
A Troubled History and Lack of Remorse
What makes Alam’s case particularly concerning is his extensive criminal background and apparent lack of remorse for his actions. Court records reveal a lengthy rap sheet including past arrests for burglary, grand larceny, assault, disorderly conduct, and vandalism. His defense attorney described him as a troubled loner, while his mother noted his struggles with rejection, substance abuse, and a pattern of minor crimes. Despite the gravity of his Capitol riot offenses, Alam showed no remorse during his sentencing hearings.
“I believed in my heart I was doing the right thing. Sometimes you have to break the rules to do what’s right,” Zachary Jordan Alam stated during his proceedings.
U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, a liberal-leaning jurist who presided over Alam’s case, strongly rejected this rationalization, stating: “Those are not the actions of a patriot. To say otherwise is delusional.” The judge ultimately sentenced him to one of the longest terms imposed on January 6 defendants, citing his violent behavior and lack of contrition. While many January 6 defendants were unjustly targeted by the previous administration’s political persecution, Alam’s well-documented violent actions stood apart from the peaceful protestors exercising their First Amendment rights.
New Criminal Allegations Post-Pardon
Just months after his release through President Trump’s pardons, Alam finds himself facing serious new criminal charges. On May 9, he was arrested in Henrico County, Virginia, after allegedly breaking into a home and taking several items. According to court documents, Alam was confronted by the home’s occupants before attempting to flee the scene. Law enforcement quickly apprehended him, and he has since pleaded not guilty to the felony burglary charge. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for late June in Henrico County court.
“I will not accept a second-class pardon,” Zachary Jordan Alam had previously demanded, insisting on “a full pardon with all the benefits that come with it, including full compensation.”
Alam’s case is unfortunately not isolated. Other pardoned January 6 participants have similarly faced new charges after their release. For instance, Andrew Taake was re-arrested on separate charges following his pardon, establishing a concerning pattern. While President Trump’s pardons rightfully freed many peaceful protestors who were politically persecuted by the previous administration, cases like Alam’s raise important questions about rehabilitation and public safety considerations when extending pardons to individuals with extensive criminal backgrounds who demonstrate violent tendencies and lack of remorse.
The Broader Implications
Alam’s trajectory from University of Virginia graduate to Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine dropout to Capitol rioter to burglary suspect highlights a complex pattern of personal struggles and criminal behavior. While presidential pardons are an essential constitutional power that can correct injustices, Alam’s quick return to alleged criminal activity raises legitimate concerns about recidivism and public safety. The case serves as a reminder that while many January 6 protestors were ordinary citizens exercising their constitutional rights, some individuals involved in that day’s events had more extensive issues that may require broader interventions beyond pardons.
As Americans concerned about law and order, we must balance compassion with accountability, particularly when it comes to individuals who demonstrate patterns of violent or criminal behavior. The system must differentiate between those who were politically targeted for peaceful protest and those whose actions represent genuine threats to public safety, regardless of political affiliation. Alam’s case serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities involved in addressing the aftermath of January 6 while maintaining law and order in our communities.
