Iced Earth founder and guitarist Jon Schaffer recently opened up about his involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot and how his relationship with Jesus Christ has helped him navigate through difficult times, sharing his thoughts on the Iblis Manifestations podcast.
Schaffer discussed his perspective on injustice and how his Christian faith has transformed his ability to forgive others and see situations from a broader perspective.
“Yes, it was unjust [what happened to me], but there’s been many injustices against individuals through the history of the world, like billions of them. So I’m not gonna sit back and cry myself a river over that. It doesn’t make any sense,” Schaffer said. “There’s horribly unjust things going on right now all over the world to many different people, and I don’t like that. But I also know it’s outta my control.”
The guitarist expressed particular concern about injustices involving children, noting how this issue affects him most deeply.
“So do I drive myself into a fit of rage every time I think about all the injustices against innocents? The things that are happening to children — dude, that’s where I have to catch myself, where I start to get worked up, when I think about children being abused the way that they are. That bothers me — as a father, but just as a human being,” he continued. “That’s a no-go zone. There’s a code in prison for people like that.”
Schaffer reflected on how his Christian faith has changed his approach to forgiveness and judgment of others.
“I don’t even know if it’s me that’s in control of my emotions or if it’s just my relationship with Christ that’s allowed me to see things more clearly and to understand more of a bigger view of what’s happening and the fallen nature of mankind. It’s certainly made me more forgiving, man — I can tell you that,” he said. “Because I think when you start to see the bigger picture of it, you understand that you also are a fallen creature and you make mistakes and it’s not really fair for you to judge other people.”
“I am a sinner also. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve done wrong things, and everybody has, so I’m not gonna stand up on my high horse and start coming down on everybody,” Schaffer concluded. “There’s a level of forgiveness that I never had before I became a Christian. Before the change happened in my heart, I wasn’t even capable of it.”
Schaffer’s reflections on forgiveness and redemption come after a significant legal ordeal that fundamentally changed his life and perspective.
Blabbermouth reported that Schaffer pleaded guilty in April 2021 to obstruction of an official proceeding and entering a restricted Capitol building with a deadly or dangerous weapon for his role in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. He was among the first six people to breach the building through northwest doors. He cooperated early with authorities, self-surrendering just 11 days after the event.
The guitarist’s cooperation with federal authorities proved significant in his case. Metal Injection noted that Schaffer provided substantial assistance via a plea agreement, which helped reduce charges from multiple felonies. His early acceptance of responsibility and cooperation with investigators were key factors in his eventual sentencing.
On October 25, 2024, Schaffer received his sentence of three years of supervised probation, 120 hours of community service, $1,000 in restitution, and a $200 financial assessment. Attorneys For Freedom indicated that the U.S. government recommended this probation term, citing his three months in pretrial detention, including time in solitary confinement, as well as his early responsibility and cooperation.
“I profoundly regret my actions on January 6th, 2021,” Schaffer stated publicly following his sentencing, as Metal Injection documented.
The case took an unexpected turn when President Trump issued pardons to over 1,500 January 6 participants on January 20, 2025, his first day back in office. This could potentially affect Schaffer’s sentence, though the specific impact on his probation status remains unclear.
