John Earle Sullivan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Earle Sullivan
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Sullivan at the Washington Monument, 2021
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| Born | July 18, 1994 |
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John Earle Sullivan (born July 18, 1994), also known as Activist John, is an American political activist and online video creator. He is known for filming events at the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6, 2021.
For his actions during the attack, a court found him responsible for breaking serious rules. These included interfering with a government meeting and causing public disorder.
Before January 6, Sullivan took part in protests for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. However, some BLM leaders said he was not part of their group and asked other activists not to work with him.
On January 6, Sullivan went inside the Capitol building during the attack. He wore clothing that supported Donald Trump. He filmed many events that day, including his own interactions with police and the moment a woman named Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot.
In November 2023, a jury found Sullivan guilty of several offenses for his role in the attack. In April 2024, he was sentenced to six years in prison. On January 20, 2025, at the start of the second presidency of Donald Trump, Sullivan received a pardon, which officially forgave him for his actions.
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Early Life and Activities
Sullivan was adopted by a family in Virginia. His father was a high-ranking officer in the US Army. Later, his family moved to Utah.
After high school, Sullivan became interested in speed skating. He tried to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics but did not make the team.
Protest Involvement
In 2020, Sullivan started attending Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests. He also started a group called "Insurgence USA," which organized protests against police violence. Some people felt he was using the protests to become famous.
Protest in Provo, Utah
On June 29, 2020, Sullivan led a protest in Provo, Utah. During the event, a driver was shot and injured by another protester. Sullivan was later charged with rioting and other offenses related to this protest. Police said he damaged cars and helped organize the protest.
Connections to Different Groups
Sullivan's actions sometimes caused confusion. He organized an event where he invited members of the Proud Boys, a far-right group, to speak. This led many BLM activists to stop working with him. His brother, James Sullivan, founded a pro-Trump group called "Civilized Awakening."
Because he worked with groups from different sides of politics, some activists suspected he was trying to cause trouble for their movements.
Role in the 2021 Capitol Attack
On January 6, 2021, Sullivan joined the crowd that entered the U.S. Capitol building. He wore a protective vest and a gas mask. He filmed much of what happened inside, including breaking a window.
His video footage captured the fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt. After she was shot, he could be heard on the video saying the footage would go "viral" online. He also encouraged the crowd with a megaphone.
After the Attack
Sullivan gave interviews to news channels like CNN, where he showed his video of the shooting. He told the FBI that he was at the Capitol to film the events, not as a supporter of any group. He said he only shouted encouraging things to the crowd to "blend in."
However, the government did not agree that he was just a journalist. They pointed out that he did not have any press identification.
Legal Consequences and Pardon
Sullivan was arrested and faced eight federal charges for his actions on January 6. In November 2023, a jury found him guilty of seven of those charges. In April 2024, he was sentenced to six years in prison.
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump pardoned Sullivan. This pardon also applied to most other people who took part in the Capitol attack. A pardon is an official act of forgiveness that removes the legal consequences of a person's actions.
