Christopher Madrid | PantherNOW Staff Writer
FIU alumni Barbara Balmaseda was one of approximately 1,583 rioters pardoned by President Donald Trump’s clemency.
Balmaseda, a former GOP Strategist, was indicted on all charges by a grand jury on May 22nd. She pleaded not-guilty, and a judge officially set her trial on March 25, 2025.
Due to President Donald Trump’s pardons, which also commuted the sentences of 14 additional January 6th rioters, Balmaseda will no longer be charged with numerous felonies.
Miami Lakes native Balmaseda was known for interning for Marco Rubio in 2018 – 2019, assisting Ron DeSantis’s 2018 campaign, and being closely associated with the Proud Boys.
Her charges included: corrupt obstruction of an official proceeding, knowingly entering and remaining in a restricted building, and engaging in disorderly conduct in a Capitol building with the intent to impede a session of Congress.
The January 6th riot pardons included pardoning those responsible for the injury of 140 police officers as well as pardoning those responsible for the deaths of five other officers.