HARLETON, TEXAS — Ryan Nichols, who received a presidential pardon for his role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, was arrested on May 10 in Harleton, Texas, on a count of deadly conduct. Nichols, 35, became at least the fifth person pardoned by President Donald Trump for involvement in the Capitol riot to be accused of a new crime.

Investigators said Nichols threateningly displayed a handgun to a person during an argument in a church parking lot on May 10. The alleged victim said he turned away from the confrontation, tried to usher his family toward their car, and asked Nichols to go away. After the victim turned back to face him, Nichols raised his shirt, showed a gun, and wrapped his hand around the weapon's grip, according to the account given to investigators.

Deputies also booked Nichols on unrelated warrants alleging harassment. He was released two days later on bond set at $8,000.

In November 2023, Nichols pleaded guilty in connection with the Capitol breach, acknowledging that he attacked officers with pepper spray. A federal judge sentenced him to five years and three months in prison. Before the January 6 rally, Nichols had said: "It's going to be violent and if you are asking, 'Is Ryan Nichols going to bring violence? Yes, Ryan Nichols is going to bring violence.'" He was unconditionally pardoned, along with about 1,500 other defendants, on the first day of Trump's second presidency in January 2025.

In April 2025, Nichols declared his intent to run for a seat in Congress, then announced he was withdrawing from the race. "My heart is in the right place. But I do not have the ability to properly lead this country," Nichols said in announcing his withdrawal.

A database maintained by the non-profit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington first published in December a list of more than 30 people who attacked the Capitol, were pardoned by Trump, and face criminal charges in other cases. Four people on that list had been accused of crimes after their pardons prior to Nichols's arrest.

Christopher Moynihan pleaded guilty in February in New York to a harassment charge over threats to kill Hakeem Jeffries and was later sentenced to three years' probation. Zachary Alam was sentenced on May 7 to seven years in prison after a jury convicted him of burglary in Virginia.