Jeremy Rodgers, a former candidate for a Michigan city council seat, was convicted for assaulting a Capitol police officer during the January 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol. Rodgers, 26, was found guilty of multiple charges, including assault on a federal officer, civil disorder, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and picketing inside a Capitol building. The conviction came after a bench trial presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Trevor McFadden, who was appointed by Donald Trump.
Rodgers was involved in a violent altercation with law enforcement during the Capitol riot. He approached a line of officers guarding the East Rotunda Door and struck one officer in the head three times with a flagpole that had a blue “Trump” flag attached to it. The blows were described as powerful, and the officer later reported feeling dizziness and vertigo, attributing these symptoms to the force of the strikes through his helmet. The sound of the blows was captured in videos of the incident, and the officer’s testimony underscored the severity of the attack.
In addition to the assault, Rodgers attempted to prevent officers from closing the East Rotunda Door by using the flagpole. He later entered the Capitol building through that door at 2:26 p.m. Once inside, Rodgers removed a railing to clear a path for the crowd behind him, encouraging others to follow by shouting, “come on in,” and waving people toward the House Chambers while chanting “USA, USA.” He continued to parade through the Capitol, waving his flag, and engaged in another altercation with police before exiting the building at 2:56 p.m.
Rodgers was arrested in Orlando, Florida, on June 30, 2023, after the FBI received multiple tips from individuals who recognized him from footage of the riot. He was identified as AFO #242, or the “Freshman Flagger,” a nickname given to him by social media users due to his youthful appearance and the flag he carried during the events.
Prior to his involvement in the Capitol riot, Rodgers was known in his hometown of Midland, Michigan, for his involvement with the local Republican Party and as a one-time candidate for Midland City Council in 2020. His arrest and subsequent conviction have drawn attention due to his political connections and the ongoing debate surrounding the prosecution of individuals involved in the January 6 events.
Rodgers is among several individuals facing charges related to the January 6 riots who have expressed hopes that they may receive pardons if Donald Trump is re-elected as president. Trump has previously stated his intention to pardon those he considers “political prisoners” in connection with the Capitol insurrection. Rodgers’ attorney, William Shipley, filed a motion this week requesting reconsideration of the case’s proceedings, citing two recent developments. One was President Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted on charges in Delaware and California. The second development was Trump’s public statement on December 8, 2024, expressing his intention to provide relief to individuals like Rodgers who were charged in connection with the January 6 events.
Despite these motions, Rodgers’ conviction stands, and he faces sentencing in the coming months. The case adds to the growing number of individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6 riots, a pivotal moment in U.S. history that continues to shape political and legal discussions.
