Ryan Nichols, Capitol rioter and former U.S. Marine, claims that he helped save the life of D.C. Police Officer Michael Fanone on January 6, but his thanks for his heroic efforts have left him in solitary confinement.
Nichols, indicted on 13 charges in connection with the Capitol insurrection riot, made some interesting claims in an interview with Newsmax.
- Nichols said he showed up in good faith to protest the election results, but when things got ugly he said he was targeted by the government for participating in violence. But Nichols claims he was actually rescuing men and women, including D.C. Police Officer Michael Fanone. Nichols says his “participation in Officer Fanone’s event no doubt helped save his life that day.” Fanone suffered a heart attack that day, as well as a traumatic brain injury and PTSD after he was attacked by rioters.
- Nichols described his current jail experience inhumane at “D.C. Gitmo” and said he and others had been in solitary confinement for up to 30 hours a day!
Court documents show Nichols in video recordings, wielding a crowbar and a bullhorn.
In the footage, Nichols told the crowd that “if you have a weapon, you need to get your weapon” and described the situation as “the second revolution” and “not a peaceful protest.” Nichols also allegedly brought pepper spray to the Capitol and used the chemical to attack officers before breaching the building.
Nichols pleaded not guilty to the 13 charges, and has been in custody pending trial since.
