Justice Department Seeks to Retain QAnon Shaman's Items

Jacob Chansley, known as the 'QAnon Shaman,' is seeking the return of his horned headdress and flagpole spear from the federal government after the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. The Justice Department opposes returning the items, citing the need to hold them as evidence in case Chansley challenges his conviction following a Supreme Court ruling. Chansley, who served a prison sentence, still has two years of court-supervised release left and has filed a motion to retrieve his seized property. The government aims to ensure finality in the appellate process and may consider civil forfeiture of the spear and helmet. Chansley expressed frustration at not receiving his belongings, comparing it to the return of his mother's car post-investigation. The case highlights the ongoing legal complexities surrounding the aftermath of the Capitol riot.