Two weeks ago, I received an intriguing phone call from Andrew Johnson, a participant in the events of January 6. He and fellow comrade Mitchell “Todd” Gardner had become roommates and started a business together. The timing was perfect, as I had been eager to share a positive and uplifting narrative about those involved in the January 6 incident with the readers of . We arranged a time for me to conduct an interview for my podcast, which would accompany the story.
However, the Sunday we had scheduled for the interview came and went without any response from Andrew or Todd. Concerned, I considered various possible scenarios. Then, on Monday, Andrew called to inform me that Todd had been hospitalized. He had been taken to the hospital by paramedics after experiencing a complete loss of feeling on his right side—certainly not one of the many excuses I had entertained.
At the hospital, doctors diagnosed Todd with a stroke and identified blood clots as the underlying cause. One doctor inquired whether he had received the COVID-19 vaccine, to which Todd affirmed that he had.
My immediate thought was that Todd had received the shot while confined in the DC Gulag, where many January 6 detainees reported attempts by jail staff to pressure them into vaccination. They were allegedly promised visitation rights, Chaplain visits, haircuts, and recreational hours in exchange for receiving the experimental mRNA vaccine. This information has been corroborated by several J6 prisoners, though it remains unclear how many actually complied with the coercive offers. In any case, no one seemed to receive the promised benefits, leaving us with uncertainty about the true motivations behind their vaccination status.
What is clear, however, is that Gardner had taken the COVID shot well before January 6, driven by his sales career and a desire to maintain client relationships and job security.
While Todd is uncertain if the vaccine contributed to his current health issues, the doctors did not make any direct connections either. His focus now is solely on recovery and moving forward toward a healthier life.
Last week, Todd shared some insights about his experience:
“I woke up last Sunday morning with numbness on the entire right side of my body. At the hospital, I was informed that I had multiple blood clots that resulted in a stroke.
This situation has forced me to pause my business ambitions. My family resides in Ohio, leaving me without any support in Florida. Thankfully, my mom flew down to help and is now driving us back to Ohio, where I will stay for one to two months while I undergo rehabilitation.
I have $700 in monthly child support obligations, plus the usual costs of living. I’m relieved that my mom won’t charge me rent, and I’ll be applying for government assistance to help cover the costs of my stroke medication, “ELIQUIS,” which is $500 monthly until I can secure assistance.”
During our conversation, Todd expressed, “Jenn, please convey how thankful I am for everyone’s support, and I’m especially grateful to President Trump for the pardon he extended to us.” He added, “Being at home with family while dealing with this is infinitely better than facing it in prison. My time in prison made me reflect on what truly matters in life, but this health scare has deepened my appreciation for my children, family, and friends.”
When I asked Todd about his outlook for the future, he emphasized his commitment to healing not just from this recent ordeal but also from the psychological scars of incarceration. He is eager to return to work as soon as possible and is dedicated to diligently following his prescribed therapy.
While this narrative may not fit the warm and fuzzy J6er story I intended to share, it still offers a glimmer of hope. Todd Gardner’s resolve to recover and lead a life he no longer takes for granted is inspiring. We discussed how divine providence often has a plan, and for Todd, it seems to center around healing his body, mind, and spirit.
I eagerly anticipate chronicling Todd’s journey of recovery and the positive developments that await him on the other side of this challenge.
To Assist Todd With His Recovery Expenses, Click HERE
