Trump’s Pardoned Jan. 6 Defendant Caught in New Arrest Just One Day After Release

A former suspect involved in the January 6th Capitol riot saw his hopes of freedom following a presidential pardon quickly dashed. Daniel Ball, a 39-year-old man from Florida, was arrested just one day after former President Donald Trump granted pardons to most of those accused or convicted of crimes connected to the January 6th events. Ball now faces a federal gun charge, which was filed in Washington, D.C. The arrest, which was first reported by Politico, marks the first federal warrant issued in the capital during Trump’s second term. Despite the pardon, Ball’s legal troubles are far from over, and this latest development highlights the ongoing consequences for those involved in the riot.

Despite an emotional phone call to his parents on Monday, in which he expressed how challenging the past 20 months have been, saying, “it’s been a long 20 months for me,” Daniel Ball was not released from a Washington, D.C. jail as many might have expected following his pardon. Official records indicate that despite the announcement of the pardon, Ball remained incarcerated in the D.C. facility, and there was no immediate release following the pardon granted by former President Trump. This suggests that his legal situation was not resolved by the clemency, and he continued to face detention even after the pardon was granted.

In August, Daniel Ball was formally charged with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon in Florida. However, due to his ongoing detention, he had been unable to attend his court appearance related to the charge. Although the firearm charge was filed in Florida, WUSA9 reports that the discovery of the weapon was linked to a raid on his home, which was carried out in connection with his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot. The raid and subsequent charge appear to be part of a broader investigation into his activities related to the events of that day, further complicating his legal situation.

Daniel Ball, who was facing a total of 12 charges related to his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot, was potentially looking at many years behind bars if convicted. Among the most serious allegations was his supposed role in setting off an explosive device inside a Capitol tunnel on that day. According to federal investigators, Ball was the only individual among the accused rioters to face charges specifically related to the detonation of an explosive. When he was arrested in 2023, NBC News reported on the charges, highlighting the gravity of the situation. A criminal affidavit revealed that the explosion in the tunnel had left a lasting impact on law enforcement, with several officers interviewed by the FBI describing it as “the most memorable event that day,” underscoring the intensity and chaos that surrounded the Capitol breach.

The criminal affidavit further revealed the intense fear and trauma that the explosion caused for officers present in the Capitol tunnel on January 6th. Some officers believed they had been hit by a fragmentation grenade and feared severe injury or even death, with a few reporting lasting psychological trauma as a result. One officer described suffering from hearing impairment for months after the explosion.

Ball’s criminal history includes previous convictions for serious offenses such as strangulation, domestic violence, and resisting law enforcement with violence. In addition to his criminal record, a now-inactive Facebook page offers insight into his mindset before the Capitol riot. The page includes posts that reflect his frustration and outrage following the 2020 presidential election. On November 28, 2020, Ball wrote a post boasting about his intelligence, saying, “I’ll bet $100 against any liberal, I’ll beat them on an IQ test… available all day today, for any takers.” This post, among others, illustrated his provocative and hostile views leading up to the events of January 6th.

Ball’s now-dormant Facebook page also highlighted his strong opposition to COVID-19 vaccines. On November 11, 2020, he posted about New York’s vaccine mandate, expressing his disdain by writing, “New York just passed mandated vaccines. People of New York, it’s time to become violent, or a slave.” This post was one of many that showcased his extreme and hostile views regarding the pandemic and government regulations.

In a separate, significant political move, former President Donald Trump granted pardons to approximately 1,500 individuals with a single stroke of the pen on a Monday. The decision, which Trump made during his transition period, was reportedly arrived at after he debated the matter with his advisers. According to reports, Trump made the final decision to issue the pardons with a blunt declaration, saying, “‘F–k it. Release ‘em all.’” This dramatic pardon action reflected Trump’s broad and sweeping approach to granting clemency in his final days in office.