The QAnon Shaman: White Supremacists Can Be Vegan in Prison

Amongst thousands of other conservative Americans, he took to the streets. In swarms of Trump hats and confederate flags, lacking covid masks and civility, Jacob Chansley and his fellow radicals marched on the United States Capitol. Stirred by Donald Trump’s “Save America Rally” speech, Chansley and other supremacists decided today was the day. Today was the day to take back America.

The Man 

For most of his life, Chansley stayed in his home town. In Phoenix, Arizona, Chansley graduated from high school and attended classes at Glendale Community College. In 2005, he enlisted in the United States Navy. But, after refusing to take an anthrax vaccine, he was scheduled for dismissal. 

Chansley returned to Phoenix after a short time in Washington DC, where he recently began attending rallies in support of Donald Trump and QAnon. He quickly became known for his conservative activism and abrasive protest demeanor. Chansley’s Wikipedia page says, “See also: Trumpism.”

Chansley has often made himself hard to ignore. While most conservative Americans would not stand out in a grocery store or shopping mall, Chansley could often be seen in the streets of Phoenix, dressed head-to-toe in protest gear. He sports a long beard and occasionally an American flag. But, more noticeably, Chansley wears furs, large horns, and red-white-and-blue face paint when he makes public appearances. Sometimes, he carries a sign that said “Q Sent Me!” and, more often than not, he is shirtless, brandishing a multitude of dark tattoos.  

In his most recent mugshot, however, Chansley is just a man. Perhaps his ears stick out a little, but for the most part, he looks like the average balding white man. And he stares blankly into the camera.  

The Ideology 

Even before the January 6 riots at the US Capitol, Chansley had a long history with American nationalism, conservative conspiracies, and white supremacy. On his Facebook page (now deactivated), Chansley appeared to embrace a muddled ideology. He describes himself as a “self initiated shaman”, an “energetic healer”, and an “ordained minister.” Chansley is also a “servant of the Divine Creator God.” And, as his post-riot nickname “QAnon Shaman” suggests, he subscribes to the teachings of QAnon. 

QAnon is an online conspiracy hub that traps fragile minds in dangerous conspiracies. QAnon followers believe a slew of misinformation about the Black Lives Matter movement, Covid-19, and presidential elections - all of which usually involve the “deep state” trying to undermine conservatives like Trump. QAnon followers are deeply paranoid, but simultaneously outspoken about their abilities in exposing their enemies. Their core belief: “a group of Satan-worshipping elites who run a child sex ring are trying to control our politics and media.” Seeping onto the Facebook feeds of impressionable conservatives and into the politics of Republicans (like Donald Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green), QAnon has taken hold of citizens like Jacob Chansley. 

Chansley, like many of the rioters at the US Capitol in January, also seems to hold ties to white supremacy organizations. In an analysis of his tattoos, astonished spectators and analysts of the siege noticed some concerning aspects of Chansley’s appearance. (Aside from the face paint, horned headdress, and spear he wore to the Capitol, of course.) Many Neo-Nazi affiliates who are too timid to brandish swastikas distinguish themselves in subtler ways. Such groups utilize symbols from other cultures or codewords (such as 88, which references the eighth letter of the alphabet (H) and represents the phrase “Heil Hitler”) to recognize other members. Chansley’s tattoos include symbols taken from Norse mythology, such as the Valknot, that have been increasingly co-opted by white supremacist groups. The Anti-Defamation League keeps a close eye on groups that use these symbols, who often disguise white supremacy as pride in “Norse heritage.” Chansley included. 

The Insurrection 

Emboldened by these beliefs and deeply entrenched in dangerous conspiracies, Chansley joined in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. In CNN footage of the insurrection, Chansley can be seen breaking through doors as other rioters shatter windows. Thousands of radical nationalists, under the supposed tutelage of Trump, ransacked the US Capitol in an attempt to halt president-elect Biden’s confirmation. By around 2:45 pm, Chansley and other insurrectionists had pushed their way into the House chambers. By 3:03 pm, rioters were on the Senate floor - Chansley among them. 

Quickly, footage featuring Chansley flooded the media. In numerous photographs, he can be seen gloating behind the Senate dais. Front and center, the QAnon Shaman took the spotlight. Chansley proclaimed himself a QAnon leader and shouted encouragement throughout the siege. In one video, he claims “We won the f*cking day.”

So, when Jacob Chansley was arrested, there was little doubt about his involvement in the insurrection. 

The Arrest

On January 9, Chansley was detained at an FBI office in Phoenix, Arizona, his home state. According to prosecutors, he had waltzed into the office to “continue an interview” concerning the riots. Chansley walked into FBI offices wearing his horned headdress and face paint, spear and bullhorn in hand. 

After his arrest, Chansley requested a pardon from Donald Trump. He was personally offended when the president denied the pardon. The QAnon Shaman now faces two felony charges for “interfering with law enforcement during the commission of civil disorder” and “obstructing a Congressional proceeding”. He has also amassed four misdemeanor counts and faces around twenty years in prison. 

Originally, Chansley was detained at a Federal Correctional Institution in Phoenix, where he was denied release. Prosecutors argued that Chansley was an “ongoing danger to the community”, as well as a flight risk. Keith Robishaw, a US Capitol police officer at the Capitol siege, reported that Chansley had used his bullhorn to communicate threats against US representatives during the riots. Because of comments like these, US District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that Chansley could not be safely released into the community. Regardless, Chansley was relocated to a DC jail shortly after arrest. In DC, Chansley continued his tirade of lunacy and demanded that he be provided with organic foods while in prison, citing his shamanism as religious justification. His wish was granted. 

As Newsweek reports, Jacob Chansley has apologized for the riots since his arrest. In a statement released by his attorney, Albert Watkins, Chansley denounces Trump. 

“He was not honorable,” Chansley says. “He let a lot of peaceful people down. I have to leave judging him up to other people.” Though incited by Trump’s speech, the QAnon Shaman seems to have turned his back on his idol. And, while Chansley is upset with Trump’s lack of rioter support, he also expresses regret about the January 6 insurrection. 

“I am sorry for having aroused fear in the hearts of others,” Chansley also says. “That was wrong. Period.” However, in the same statement, Chansley calls insurrectionists and white supremacists “good people” who “care deeply” about the United States. 

Now, Jacob Chansley awaits trial. He may rot in jail for the next twenty years, serving as an example to other conspiracy theorists that democracy is not to be toyed with. But, in a very real way, he did “win the day.” Chansley is now the “QAnon Shaman”, the face of modern white supremacy and conservative radicalism. Chansley helped lead a siege on the US Capitol, bringing the vicious capabilities of nationalist and racist ideology to the front page of every newspaper and the TV screen of every American. He is a symbol of the deep moral divisions, the inequity in prisons, and the rampant white supremacy in the United States. Hopefully, he will finally be held accountable in trial.