Stand in the Gap is a right-of-center group that advocates for protecting the rights and reintegration into society of those who were imprisoned following the January 6, 2021 riot at the United States Capitol. The group provides January 6 defendants with legal services, financial assistance, housing, and health care. ^{1  2 3}

In 2024, Stand in the Gap reportedly organized an “award gala” at then-former President Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf resort. President Trump and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) were among the announced speakers. The event was postponed and never rescheduled, reportedly due to fears over the safety of staff and attendees. ^{4 5}

Activities

Stand in the Gap is a right-of-center group that advocates for protecting the rights and reintegration into society of those who were imprisoned following the January 6, 2021 riot at the United States Capitol. ¹

In 2022, Stand in the Gap supported the formation of Real 6, an advocacy organization which claimed that January 6 defendants were being mistreated in a “broken justice system” and wanted to create a “public platform” for the trials of January 6 defendants.  ¹

Stand in the Gap supported the January 20, 2025 executive clemency actions signed by President Donald Trump that granted pardons or commutations over 1,500 defendants charged with or convicted of crimes related to the January 6 Capitol riot, claiming “legal forgiveness is only the beginning” and advocated for providing “comprehensive, practical support” for January 6 defendants to reintegrate into society. ^{1 6}

Stand in the Gap provides services for January 6 defendants such as providing mental health support, offering financial assistance to cover bills, and fundraising to provide legal defense against civil lawsuits.  ^{2  3}

Stand in the Gap previously operated Operation Love Wins, a program to reunite January 6 defendants held in solitary confinement in the District of Columbia Department of Corrections with their family members.  ⁷

Other projects of Stand in the Gap include the J6 hotline, a service that provides immediate support to January 6 defendants and their families; the J6 Road Home Project to help provide January 6 defendants with housing; access to mobile phone services through Patriot Mobile; and connections to the health care service Gold Care, legal support from the We Are J6 Alliance, banking through Old Glory Bank, and employment through Conservative Jobs by the Leadership Institute. ⁸

Controversy

In 2024, Stand in the Gap was reportedly planning to organize a January 6 “awards gala” at then–former President Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf resort in New Jersey. Listed speakers included then-former President Trump and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R). Former Vice President Mike Pence called the planned event “absolutely horrid” and said it was “glorifying violence.” The event was postponed shortly before taking place, reportedly because of safety concerns for attendees and staff. It was reportedly the second time the event had been postponed. ^{4 5}

Leadership

Shane Jenkins is the co-founder and executive director of Standin the Gap is Shane Jenkins. Jenkins has been the executive director of Stand in the Gap since its founding in 2022. Jenkins is identified on the Stand in the Gap website as a “former January 6th defendant.” ^{1  9}

Sarah McAbee is the co-founder and chief operating officer for Stand in the Gap, serving in the role since January 2023. McAbee is the director of business development and partnerships for Gather Global Hotel and Venue Sourcing. She previously held several positions with Neuro Tour Physical therapy such as the director of integration and analytics as well as the director of global operations. She was also a business development employee at Capstone IT, a business development coordinator at SMC National, and a marketing manager at JRL Enterprises. She is also the co-founder and chief operating officer of The Real J6, an advocacy organization that advocates in favor of January 6 defendants. McAbee’s husband, Ronald McAbee, was sentenced to five years in prison for attacking a police officer during the January 6 Capitol riot. ^{1  10  11}

Financials

According to tax filings, in 2023 Stand in the Gap reported $72,431 in income, $56,477 in expenses, and $0 in assets. ¹²

1. “About.” Stand in the Gap. Accessed December 17, 2025. https://www.standinthegap.foundation/about.
2. “Services & Programs.” Stand in the Gap. Accessed December 17, 2025. https://www.standinthegap.foundation/services.
3. “Justice Restoration Fund.” Stand in the Gap. Accessed December 17, 2025. https://www.standinthegap.foundation/legal.
4. Bickerton, James. “Donald Trump Hosting Jan. 6 Awards Gala Sparks Fury: “Absolutely Horrid.” Newsweek. August 23, 2024. Accessed December 17, 2025. https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-hosting-jan-6-awards-gala-sparks-fury-absolutely-horrid-1943435.
5. Graziosi, Craig. “Gala in honor of January 6 rioters at Trump’s Bedminster golf course postponed (again).” Independent. September 2, 2024. Accessed December 17, 2025. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/capitol-riot-gala-postponed-election-b2605869.html
6. “Five Years After January 6: Who Was Pardoned and What Happens Now.” January 6, 2026. https://govfacts.org/criminal-justice-public-safety/criminal-courts-legal-process/pardons-clemency/five-years-after-january-6-who-was-pardoned-and-what-happens-now/
7. “Operation Love Wins.” Stand in the Gap. Accessed December 17, 2025. https://www.standinthegap.foundation/lovewins.
8. “Resources.” Stand in the Gap. Accessed December 17, 2025. https://www.standinthegap.foundation/resources.
9. “Shane Jenkins.” LinkedIn. Accessed December 17, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-jenkins-88b789349/.
10. “Sarah McAbee.” LinkedIn. Accessed December 17, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmcabee/.
11. Graziosi, Craig. “Gala in honor of January 6 rioters at Trump’s Bedminster golf course postponed (again).” Independent. September 2, 2024. Accessed December 17, 2025. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/capitol-riot-gala-postponed-election- b2605869.html
12. Stand in the Gap. Return of Private Foundation. Form 990-PF. 2023.