Background

Carlos Ayala was a member of the Maryland State Board of Elections. After the FBI arrested him on charges connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, he resigned from the board.

The Case

In the District of Columbia, Ayala faced a felony civil disorder charge along with related misdemeanor offenses tied to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. Reporting and charging allegations describe him as among a group of rioters who approached and moved through restricted areas of the Capitol, including an incident involving a flag/flagpole toward a Capitol Police officer and urging officers to join the demonstrators.

These allegations reflect conduct that threatened the public safety and disrupted the federal government’s certification process for the presidential election, undermining trust in the peaceful transfer of power.

The Pardon

On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation granting pardons (and commutations) for certain offenses relating to events at or near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. According to reporting, federal prosecutors then moved to dismiss Ayala’s Jan. 6 charges on Jan. 21, citing that executive order.

Sources

• President Trump’s Proclamation Granting Pardons and Commutations for Jan. 6 Offenses (DOJ)
• Granting Pardons and Commutation of Sentences (White House, Jan 20, 2025)
• Feds, citing Trump pardon, drop January 6 charges against Carlos Ayala (Maryland Matters)
• Maryland election official resigns after Jan. 6 charges (Axios)
• Maryland man arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges for actions during Jan. 6 Capitol breach (DOJ USAO-DC)