Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth is advocating for forgiveness regarding his former bandmates Stu Block and Hansi Kürsch, but acknowledges that he perceives Block’s distancing comments after the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol as a “total poser move.”

To recap, Schaffer was sought as a person of interest after being photographed inside the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021, among those who breached the building in an attempt to halt the transfer of presidential power to Joe Biden.

Following January 6, all members of Iced Earth departed from the band, and Kürsch, who also collaborated with Schaffer in Demons and Wizards, left that project as well. Schaffer subsequently turned himself in after appearing on an FBI “most wanted” list.

In 2024, Schaffer was sentenced to three years of probation and 120 hours of community service while being ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution and a $200 financial assessment for his involvement in the January 6 attack on the Capitol Building.

What Did Jon Schaffer Say About Stu Block?

During an appearance on Podcast of the Wicked (as shown below), Schaffer shared his thoughts on how his former bandmates managed his situation after January 6.

“Let me just take this opportunity to say, I hope that the fans out there will stop — I mean, my wish is that they would stop hating on Stu and on Hansi… The guys were pressured. Some guys handled it better, some guys handled it very weak and kind of pathetic,” said Schaffer.

He specifically addressed Block, stating, “I think the biggest issue when it comes to Stu is that he made a post [on Jan. 6, 2021] cheering it on and then flipped and that looks like a total poser move. You know what? It is a total poser move, but it’s okay. Forgive him. We did some great work together. I had some of the best times in my life with Stu… I have very precious memories with Stu, so please just forgive him. I forgive him.”

READ MORE: Jon Schaffer Converted to Christianity After Jan. 6 Imprisonment

He further added, “Everybody is a flawed human being. And the thing is Hansi and I are still close and we are always gonna be. And the difference is that we talked before I turned myself in several times, and I knew what was coming because of the pressure he was under and he hated it. But it’s a witch hunt. It was a witch hunt. And it is what it is. It’s a bummer because we write great stuff together and we were on a serious trajectory.”

Schaffer mentioned that it is unlikely he and Kürsch will collaborate musically again, but he anticipates they will remain close.

Regarding Block, Schaffer remarked, “I really don’t have any ill will. I know [Stu’s] true colors, so that’s a good thing. I’m not interested in hanging out like we did — I have no interest in that — but he’s a part of the band’s history and we did some great stuff together. And I wish him well.”

What Happened With Stu Block Concerning January 6?

As Schaffer noted, Block initially appeared to support the January 6 riot at the Capitol Building before later issuing a statement condemning the unrest.

In a social media post shared but since deleted by Block, he expressed some satisfaction with the pro-Trump revolt: “Oh it’s happening!,” Block wrote in the deleted post. “History in the making. Sending love to my friends in the U.S. and all over the world!”

Then, in an announcement posted on January 9, 2021, on Block’s socials but attributed to the entire group, it stated that the band “absolutely DO NOT condone nor do we support riots or acts of violence that the rioters were involved in on January 6th at the U.S. Capitol building. We hope that all those involved that day are brought to justice to be investigated.”

In another media exchange after Schaffer’s involvement became public knowledge, Block stated, “I live in Canada and do not really engage in political stuff or share my beliefs. I have chosen to spread love and not comment or allow any hate.”

In mid-February 2021, Block and bassist Luke Appleton confirmed their departure from the band. Meanwhile, guitarist Jake Dreyer shifted his focus to playing with Witherfall after Schaffer’s involvement in the January 6 riot effectively put Iced Earth on hold while his legal issues were resolved.

After some time passed, Block shared in an August 2021 interview with The Metal Voice, “We all make bad decisions, man, and [Jon] fucked up real bad. I’m sure he knows it, and I think everybody with half a brain knows it… The line that was crossed with going in and all that.”

Expressing his feelings about Schaffer, Block commented, “At the end of the day, I don’t hate him. I’m not writhing in hate for him. I feel sad. I feel bad that everything went down the way it did. And maybe one day we’ll talk. I don’t know. I’m not too sure. But I think he knows that I still have a place in my heart for him because I’ve seen that man do a lot of amazing, wonderful things for people. But I just wanna move on.”

Loudwire reached out to Block following Schaffer’s recent statements; he directed us to his Facebook comment where he expressed feeling “absolutely gutted right now.”

Is Jon Schaffer Looking to Reunite Iced Earth?

While speaking with Podcast for the Wicked, Schaffer reiterated his lack of interest in returning to his former band at this time; however, he mentioned receiving financial offers.

“Look, the short answer is no, not anytime soon,” said the guitarist. “I just want fans to know that this has been a lot for me; I’ve had great offers — great financial offers [to bring Iced Earth back], so if it was about chasing money… that’s a checkers move.”

“It wouldn’t be good for me or the band or crew or fans because I need to do this because I love it; whatever happens needs to happen organically and be truly inspired — not just a ‘good’ Iced Earth record or ‘good’ show; it’s gotta be gold. And that’s gonna take some time,” added Schaffer. “I don’t wanna push or force something because it’s not gonna be good for anybody — it’s not gonna be good for me; it’s not gonna be good for the band; it’s not gonna be good for fans.”

Ex-Iced Earth Singer Jon Schaffer Joins Podcast of the Wicked