twice Klete Keller, Olympic gold medalist He was among 1,500 charged in connection with the January 6, 2021 riots in the US capital, pardoned by President Donald Trump on Monday.
“It didn’t seem real,” Keller said. Washington Post in his first interview since his arrest.
Phoenix’s Klete Keller shows off his bronze medal in the men’s 400 meter freestyle final at the Sydney International Aquatic Center at the September 2000 Olympic Games. (IMAGE)
“And when I woke up this morning I thought, ‘Oh my God. Wow, this is over. I don’t have to talk to 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 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’m very grateful to now have the opportunity to move forward.”
Keller recognized in court records who attempted to obstruct Congress’ certification of former President Biden’s Electoral College victory and who repulsed officers who attempted to remove him from the Capitol Rotunda. He also admitted to shouting profane comments about former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Klete Keller looks at his watch 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. (IMAGE)
TRUMP FORGIVES ALMOST ENTIRE JAN. 6 ACCUSED ON INAUGURATION DAY
Keller, a three-time Olympic swimmer, also admitted to throwing the U.S. Olympic team jacket he was wearing that day and smashing his phone.
He told the Washington Post that he struggled under “the weight of the justice system” but accepted the consequences of his decisions. Although he never expected a pardon, Keller expressed gratitude for Trump’s intervention.
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I feel like something has been given back to me,” he told the outlet. “You know, I’m not angry. I’m not a victim. I feel blessed to have this chance at life again. I’ve learned a lot of lessons. And I’m going to carry those lessons forward.”
Klete Keller at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. (AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle, File)
Keller, 42, competed in three Games and won five medals. He won his second gold in the men’s 4×200 meter freestyle relay alongside Michael Phelps at the 2008 Beijing Games.
