A conservative social media influencer who was accused of involvement in the January 2021 Capitol riots has been pardoned by President Donald Trump, hours after his inauguration on January 20. Isabella Maria DeLuca was arrested on misdemeanor charges in March 2024 in Irvine, California. Which includes theft of government property, disorderly conduct and entering restricted area.
He was accused of entering the Capitol through a broken window and giving a table to rioters. The FBI linked the table she was carrying to later being used as a weapon by rioters against police officers.
Following the pardon, DeLuca expressed gratitude to his attorney, Anthony Sabatini, for his tireless efforts. “Tonight, President Trump pardoned me,” she wrote on X. “The promises that were made were fulfilled.”
She also revealed that the Justice Department had offered her a one-year prison sentence and a $100,000 fine, which she rejected.
Tonight, President Trump pardoned me.
I have to take a moment to express my gratitude to my lawyer @Anthony Sabatini
He was a true businessman and genuinely cared for every political prisoner. One class acted repeatedly and never took advantage of the critical situation…
– Isabella Maria DeLuca (@IsabellaMDeLuca) 21 January 2025
In another X post, the influencer wrote, “I just got the call that I’m officially forgiven. Thank you, God.”
Elon Musk, part of Trump’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), wrote “Congratulations” on her post.
Congratulations!
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 21 January 2025
DeLuca, a former congressional intern and media aide at The Gould Institute for International Strategy, has a history of association with conservative groups such as Turning Point USA. He previously interned for Republican lawmakers, including former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York and Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, the AP reported.
His participation in the Capitol riots was widely documented through social media posts, where he initially denied entering the building but later admitted to being there. He justified the January 6 actions, referring to the Capitol, saying, “This is our house.”
President Trump’s first day back in office was marked by a record number of executive orders. Of these, he pardoned more than 1,500 persons involved in the 6 January riots.
This decision has drawn much criticism from law enforcement. Former DC police officer Michael Fanone, who was attacked during the Capitol attack, expressed his outrage during a CNN interview. Fanon said, “I have been betrayed by my country and I have been betrayed by the people who supported Donald Trump.” “Tonight, the six individuals who attacked me as I did my job on January 6, as did hundreds of other law enforcement officers, will now walk free.”
Fanon also accused the Republican Party of hypocrisy, pointing out that they condoned “those who attack police” while claiming to support law enforcement.
