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'QAnon Shaman' Jacob Chansley files to run for office in Arizona, Internet calls it 'funniest thing DC has ever seen'

'This guy wants to be in that room so bad!' an X user said about 'QAnon Shaman' Jacob Chansley

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Jacob Chansley, aka "QAnon Shaman," an alt-right conspiracy theorist and activist who was arrested for taking part in the January 6 Capitol attack, reportedly filed a statement of interest to run for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, as per 12 News. 

"'QAnon Shaman' who stormed US Senate apparently seeking legal re-entry as member of Congress from AZ. 'Face of Insurrection' received one of longest sentences for Jan 6 rioter. Served 27 months of 41-month term," 12 News journalist Brahm Resnik wrote on X (formerly Twitter)

"As felony convict, Chansley can't vote but can run," Resnik mentioned.

According to a statement posted by X user "@leewah," Chansley "filed a statement of interest to run for the Libertarian nomination for #AZ08 being vacated by Lesko."

However, he allegedly "filed for the General election in November instead of the Primary in August."

Internet in splits over Jacob Chansley's decision to run for Arizona office 

Social media users were in splits after the Chansley's statement of interest to run for Arizona office came to light. Many also took to X to share their reactions to the filing. 

"Please AZ we have the opportunity to do the funniest thing DC has ever seen," one wrote. 

"Arizona congressional district 08… we have the opportunity to do the funniest thing ever," the user added in another post. 

"I will move there just to take part in this majestic mockery of Congress," one user said. 

"I’m not in his district but lmao," a fourth wrote. 

One said, "lmfao we have to be living in a simulation" while another simply reacted with the expression, "Bwahahahahahaha."

One mentioned, "Oh good. I was afraid this primary wasn’t gonna weird enough."

Before another added, "This guy wants to be in that room so bad! He'll try anything to get in there."

Several other internet users also responded to Chansley's filing with a barrage of hilarious memes and gifs. 

Why was 'QAnon Shaman' Jacob Chansley arrested? 

Chansley was reportedly arrested on January 9, on federal charges of "knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds," as per AZ Central.

According to USA Today, a Capitol police special agent reportedly said that he identified Chansley by his "unique attire and extensive tattoos covering his arms and left side of his torso."

Prosecutors described Chansley as the "the public face of the Capitol riot" during the January 6 trial, 12 News reported.

The publication also mentioned that he stood out from other rioters by going shirtless and wearing a horned headdress at the dais where Vice President Mike Pence had been presiding at the certification of the 2020 election. 

During a January 14 court filing, federal prosecutors claimed that Chansley allegedly left a note on Pence's desk in the Senate chamber with a message that said, "It's only a matter of time, justice is coming," the Washington Post reported. 

Reports suggest that Chansley allegedly refused to eat while in jail awaiting trial because he was not being served organic food.  

Chansley pleaded guilty to a single count of obstructing an official proceeding on September 2021 and decided to accept the prosecution's recommended sentence of 41 to 51 months in prison as part of the settlement. 

He was sentenced to 41 months in prison in November 2021 and served his sentence at Federal Correctional Institution in Safford, Arizona. 

As per NPR, Chansley told the court at the time, "Men of honor admit when they're wrong. Not just publicly but to themselves."

"I was wrong for entering the Capitol. I have no excuse. No excuse whatsoever. The behavior is indefensible," he allegedly admitted.

Chansley's original release date was set for May 25, 2024. However, on March 30, 2023, attorney Albert Watkins announced that Chansley was released from prison 14 months early and moved to a halfway house.