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(Bloomberg) -- Venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz has hired Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran who became a national figure after he used a chokehold on an agitated subway rider.

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Penny was cleared of criminally negligent homicide last year following the death of Jordan Neely. The high-profile case spotlighted a debate over vigilantism and public safety.

“Daniel is a Marine Corps veteran who served his country, and in a frightening moment in a crowded New York City subway car, did a courageous thing,” Andreessen Horowitz partner David Ulevitch said in a statement. “We are very excited to work with Daniel, who joins our American Dynamism team.”

The Free Press, an outlet founded by journalist Bari Weiss, previously reported the news.

Andreessen Horowitz’s American Dynamism practice, which Penny will join with the title deal partner, aims to back companies supporting American interests. The group, founded in 2023, has bet on weapons maker Anduril Industries Inc. and dozens of other startups in the defense, manufacturing and space industries.

In a post on X, Vice President JD Vance called Penny’s hiring “Incredible news.”

Ulevitch co-leads American Dynamism practice, which has become an increasing focus of Andreessen Horowitz in recent years, as the firm deepens its ties to Washington. The firm initially said it would dedicate about $500 million to the effort, and by late 2023 Ulevitch said it had invested more than three times that. Last year, the firm said it had raised $600 million for the practice.

Andreessen Horowitz has about $45 billion in assets under management. Its co-founder Marc Andreessen has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, and has served as an adviser to the incoming administration.

(Updates with post from Vice President JD Vance starting in the sixth paragraph.)

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