Olympic gold medalist Klete Keller speaks out after Trump Jan. 6 pardon: ‘Something has been restored to me’

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Two-time Olympic gold medalist Klete Keller was among the 1,500 defendants charged in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capital pardoned by President Donald Trump on Monday. 

"It didn’t feel real," Keller told The Washington Post in his first interview since being arrested. 

Klete Keller from Phoenix shows off his bronze medal in the men's 400-meter freestyle final at the Sydney International Aquatic Centre at the Olympics in September 2000. (IMAGN)

"And waking up this morning, I was like, ‘My gosh. Wow, this is over. I don’t have to check in with my probation officer anymore."

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Keller was one of approximately 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 house arrest and three years of probation. 

"I really regret the actions I took that day. I love this country," Keller said in the interview published Tuesday. "I’m just so grateful that I have the opportunity now to move forward." 

Keller acknowledged in court records that he tried to obstruct Congress’ certification of former President Biden’s Electoral College victory and that he brushed away officers who tried to remove him from the Capitol Rotunda. He also admitted to yelling profane comments about former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. 

Klete Keller looks at the clock, confirming he won bronze with a time of 3:44.11 in the men's 400-meter freestyle at the 2004 Athens Olympics. (IMAGN)

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