Olympic athlete Klete Keller, who was pardoned by President Donald Trump this week for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, was emotional after hearing the news.
“It didn't seem real. And I woke up this morning and I thought, 'Oh my God.' Wow, this is it. You don’t have to check with your probation officer anymore.” Keller told the Washington Post.. “It’s just a great sense of relief.”
The former U.S. swimmer and two-time gold medalist pleaded guilty in September 2021 to one count of obstruction of justice and was subsequently sentenced to six months of house arrest and three years of probation.
In an interview with the newspaper, Keller expressed regret for his actions that day in Washington, D.C.
“I know that my actions truly angered and hurt millions of Americans,” Keller said. “I said this to the judge, and I meant it. I acted without thinking. I didn't take the time to stop and think.” He added: “It was a very emotional and dark time.”
“…I'm just grateful for the opportunity to move forward,” Keller said.
Keller spent about an hour at the Capitol on Jan. 6, chanting, “Damn Nancy Pelosi!” and “Damn, Chuck Schumer!” and resisted police efforts to remove him from the building, exiting only after police used mace and other force on the crowd, prosecutors alleged.
He is also accused of shoving a police officer as a mob entered the Capitol Rotunda to try to stop the certification of the 2020 electoral vote results.
“There is no excuse as to why I am here before you today,” Keller said before he was sentenced in December 2023. “I understand that my actions were criminal and I take full responsibility for my actions,” he said.
Keller, 42, first won gold in the 4x200m relay at the 2004 Athens Olympics and again four years later in Beijing.
