Twice Klete Keller, Olympic gold medalist was among the 1,500 defendants charged in connection with the January 6, 2021 riots in the US capital, pardoned Monday by President Donald Trump.
“It didn’t seem real,” Keller said The Washington Post during his first interview since his arrest.
Klete Keller of Phoenix shows his bronze medal during the men’s 400 meter freestyle final at the Sydney International Aquatics Center at the September 2000 Olympic Games. (IMAGINE)
“And when I woke up this morning, I was like, ‘My God. Wow, it’s over. I don’t have to check in with my probation officer anymore.’
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Keller was one of about 1,500 defendants pardoned after Trump signed an executive order granting clemency to those who stormed the Capitol. He pleaded guilty in September 2021 to a felony charge and was sentenced to six months of house arrest and three years of probation.
“I truly regret the actions I took that day. I love this country,” Keller said in the interview published Tuesday. “I am so grateful to now have the opportunity to move forward.”
Keller recognized in court records that he attempted to obstruct Congress’ certification of former President Biden’s Electoral College victory and that he fought off officers who tried to remove him from the Capitol rotunda. He also admitted to shouting crude comments toward former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Klete Keller looks at the clock and confirms that he won bronze with a time of 3:44.11 in the men’s 400 meter freestyle at the 2004 Athens Olympics. (IMAGINE)
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Keller, a three-time Olympic swimmer, also admitted to throwing away the U.S. Olympic team jacket he was wearing that day and destroying his phone.
He told the Washington Post that he was struggling under “the weight of the justice system” but accepted the consequences of his decisions. Without ever expecting a pardon, Keller expressed appreciation for Trump’s intervention.
“I’m still trying to figure it out. I feel like something was given back to me,” he told the outlet. “You know, I’m not angry. I’m not a victim. I feel lucky to have this opportunity to live again. I’ve learned a lot of lessons. And I’m going to carry those lessons forward.”
Klete Keller at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle, file)
Keller, 42, has competed in three Games and won five medals. He won his second gold medal in the men’s 4×200 meter freestyle relay alongside Michael Phelps at the 2008 Beijing Games.
