Douglas K. Wangler

Case Summary

According to court documents, Douglas K. Wangler was identified as a participant in the Jan. 6 riot by a tipster. In a video the tipster submitted, Wangler can be seen inside the U.S. Capitol building chanting “USA,” according to the FBI. The same video reportedly shows him wearing bluejeans, dark gloves, a dark jacket and a dark beanie with a short bill. Wangler was also allegedly captured on Capitol surveillance cameras. In the closed-circuit TV footage he is allegedly seen walking inside the building with his friend Bruce J. Harrison, who was also charged as a part of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. The FBI investigation also revealed that Wangler’s phone was identified as having used a cell site tower consistent with providing service to a geographic area that included the Capitol building's interior during the riot, according to an affidavit. In an interview with the FBI, Wangler said he attended a rally for then-President Donald Trump with Harrison. Following the rally, he said he walked over to the Capitol building with his friend and a crowd. At the Capitol building, he saw people climbing up the scaffolding waving flags and chanting “USA” Wangler described the crowd by the scaffolding as a “big crazy mob” because they were throwing objects at police and spraying officers with what he assumed to be Mace, according to the affidavit. He said they watched the crowd by the scaffolding for a short time, then decided to go around to the other side of the Capitol building to get away from the violence. He added that on the other side of the building they saw some wide-open doors leading into the building, where people were freely going in, including what appeared to be family groups. He allegedly admitted to entering through these doors and wandering inside the building. He said he was inside the Capitol building for about 10 to 15 minutes, according to the FBI.

Case History

Wangler pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges were dismissed. Sentenced 12/16/2021 to 2 years of probation; 60 hours community service; $500 restitution; and $10 special assessment. Wangler 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
• Supporting Reporting
  NPR video evidence pageNPR

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