Olympic gold medalist Klete Keller speaks out after Trump Jan. 6 pardon: ‘Something has been restored to me’

Two-time Olympic golden medalist Klete Keller was among the 1,500 defendants charged successful transportation to the Jan. 6, 2021, riots astatine the U.S. Capital pardoned by President Donald Trump connected Monday. 

"It didn’t consciousness real," Keller told The Washington Post successful his archetypal interrogation since being arrested. 

"And waking up this morning, I was like, ‘My gosh. Wow, this is over. I don’t person to cheque successful with my probation serviceman anymore."

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Keller was 1 of astir 1,500 defendants pardoned aft Trump signed an enforcement bid granting clemency to those who stormed the Capitol. He pleaded blameworthy successful September 2021 to a felony complaint and was sentenced to six months location apprehension and 3 years of probation. 

"I truly regret the actions I took that day. I emotion this country," Keller said successful the interrogation published Tuesday. "I’m conscionable truthful grateful that I person the accidental present to determination forward." 

Keller acknowledged successful tribunal records that helium tried to obstruct Congress’ certification of erstwhile President Biden’s Electoral College triumph and that helium brushed distant officers who tried to region him from the Capitol Rotunda. He besides admitted to yelling profane comments astir erstwhile House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and erstwhile Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. 

TRUMP PARDONS NEARLY ALL JAN. 6 DEFENDANTS ON INAUGURATION DAY

Keller, a three-time Olympic swimmer, besides admitted to tossing his U.S. Olympic squad overgarment that helium wore that time and destroying his phone. 

He told The Washington Post that helium struggled nether "the value of the justness system," but helium accepted the consequences of his decisions. While ne'er expecting a pardon, Keller expressed his appreciation for Trump’s intervention. 

"I’m inactive trying to comprehend it. I consciousness similar thing has been restored to me," helium told the outlet. "You know, I’m not angry. I’m not a victim. I consciousness blessed to person this accidental of beingness again. I’ve learned a batch of lessons. And I’m going to instrumentality these lessons forward."

Keller, 42, competed successful 3 Games, winning 5 medals. He won his 2nd golden successful the men’s 4x200 metre freestyle relay alongside Michael Phelps successful the 2008 Beijing Games. 

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