Olympic swimmer Klete Keller expressed ‘remorse’ and ‘reduction’ after being pardoned by new U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday for his actions on January 6, 2021.
Keller, now 42, was amongst greater than 1,500 individuals charged with who had their data swept clear when President Trump pardoned, commuted jail sentences, and/or dropped prices for any and all crimes associated to the January 6 rebellion into the White Home.
In an interview with the Washington Publish, Keller described his emotion after discovering out that he could be pardoned.
“It didn’t really feel actual. And waking up this morning, I used to be like: ‘My gosh. Wow, that is over. I don’t should examine in with my probation officer anymore,’” Keller mentioned. “It’s simply such a tremendous feeling of reduction.”
Keller pleaded responsible to a single depend of obstructing an official continuing, with prosecutors saying that he resisted police efforts to take away him from the Capitol as half of a big group of individuals. Video footage confirmed him within the Capitol Rotunda, generally as a passive spectator, and generally collaborating in profane chants towards then-Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer and then-Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“I do know my actions actually angered and triggered damage to tens of millions of Individuals,” he mentioned Tuesday in his first interview since his arrest. “I advised this to the decide, and I meant it. I acted with out considering. I didn’t pause and take time to replicate.”
Keller, not like many prosecuted for his or her actions of that day, stood by the regret he expressed within the court docket room after being pardoned.
“I actually remorse the actions I took that day. I like this nation,” he mentioned. “I’m simply so grateful that I’ve the chance now to maneuver ahead.”
He mentioned that the was in a “very emotional, darkish place throughout that interval” and acquired caught up within the pleasure of the second.
Prosecutors sought a 10-month jail sentence, however finally a federal decide positioned him underneath six months of dwelling detention and three years of probation. He acquired credit score for his cooperation with prosecutors.
Shortly after Keller’s function within the occasions of January 6 have been revealed, the true property company Hoff and Leigh mentioned he was “now not with the corporate” and had resigned.
“Hoff & Leigh helps the proper of free speech and lawful protest,” the corporate wrote. “However we can not condone actions that violate the rule of regulation.” Someday thereafter, although, he returned to the corporate, and his bio at the moment seems on the web site itemizing him as a dealer affiliate.
In August 2024, Keller was credited with performing a life saving rescue whereas on his honeymoon in Florida.
Keller and his spouse, Lindsey, have been on a rented pontoon at Choctawhatchee Bay once they noticed a jet skier launched into the air about 100 yards away. One other jet skier signaled for assist, in order that they acquired nearer and realized the teenage boy was facedown, immobile.
Keller jumped off the boat, swam to the sufferer, and began giving him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation whereas treading water.
Keller is a five-time Olympic medalist, successful two golds and a silver as a part of the U.S. 800 free relays in 2000, 2004, and 2008; he additionally picked up back-to-back particular person bronze medals within the 400 free in Sydney and Athens.
Keller grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and swam collegiately at USC, the place he was a four-time NCAA Champion.
Keller was some of the excessive profile of these charged in connection to the occasions of January 6, standing out above the group at 6’6″ and sporting his Crew USA Olympic jacket. Amongst these pardoned have been individuals discovered responsible of violent assaults on police and leaders of extremist teams that have been convicted of plotting to maintain Trump in energy after dropping the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden.
