Christine Priola

Case Summary

Christine Priola was photographed in the Senate chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, holding a sign under her arm that read “The Children Cry Out for Justice” while she helped someone sitting in Vice President Pence’s chair take a selfie, according to court documents. Court documents say she was wearing a red winter coat and distinctive pants that had the word “Trump” emblazoned on the leg. Photographs and videos later recovered by law enforcement officials after a search of her home helped place Priola in the Capitol on Jan. 6 in that red coat and distinctive pants, according to charging documents. Priola had been an occupational therapist with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She resigned just a day after the breach on the Capitol. Her resignation letter said she was stepping down because she didn’t want to take a coronavirus vaccine in order to return to in-person learning. She said she had decided to dedicate her life to exposing human trafficking and pedophilia “in our government” -- something that QAnon followers are intent on doing, though there is no suggestion in the charging documents that she follows the group.

Case History

Priola pleaded Guilty to the charge: Obstruction of an Official Proceeding. Sentenced 10/28/22 to 15 months in prison, one year of supervised release, $2,000 restitution; $100 special assessment. Priola received a full pardon on January 20, 2025

Sources

• Primary Documentation
  NPR Jan. 6 Defendant DatabaseNPR
• Primary Documentation
  Underlying court recordCourt record linked by NPR

Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.