Maryland Lawmakers Propose Ban on Jan. 6 Riot Convicts Serving in Gubernatorial Appointments

Proposed Maryland law would prevent anyone convicted in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack from serving on state commissions, even if they received a federal pardon.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 6:36 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Maryland Matters

Targeting Gubernatorial Appointments and Special Positions

A new legislative effort in Maryland aims to establish clear professional consequences for residents convicted of participating in the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Senate Bill 962, sponsored by Senator Cheryl Kagan, focuses specifically on "prestigious" appointments made by the governor. If enacted, the law would disqualify anyone with a conviction related to the attack from holding a seat on any state board, commission, or work group. Senator Kagan noted during committee testimony that the bill is rooted in the principle of accountability, arguing that those who attempted to subvert the democratic process should not be rewarded with positions of public trust or executive influence.

The Impact of Federal Pardons on State Disqualification

One of the bill's most significant provisions addresses the recent wave of federal pardons. Despite President Donald Trump’s January 2025 decision to pardon nearly 1,500 individuals involved in the Capitol riot, the Maryland legislation would maintain the disqualification. Under the proposed statute, a federal pardon would not restore an individual's eligibility for a state board appointment. This creates a state-level barrier that persists regardless of federal clemency, signaling a distinct stance by Maryland leadership on the long-term professional implications of the events of January 6.

Testimony from the Front Lines of the Capitol Defense

The Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee heard emotional testimony from former U.S. Capitol Police officers Harry Dunn and Aquilino Gonell. Gonell, who retired after sustaining multiple injuries during the riot, described the attack as a life-altering trauma and categorized the federal pardons as a "betrayal" of democracy and law enforcement. Both officers argued that the bill is a necessary measure to prevent those who assaulted officers and democracy from being celebrated or elevated to leadership roles within state government. Dunn, who is currently seeking a seat in Congress, added that the legislation serves as a defense against efforts to "rewrite history."