The Pentagon has defended its decision to hire a former Jan. 6 riot defendant for a sensitive counterterrorism position, calling him a “qualified, patriotic young professional” after reports surfaced about his new role within the Department of War.

Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez appeared to confirm reporting by the Washington Post that Elias Irizarry, a former Citadel cadet who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, is now serving as a political appointee at the Pentagon.