A rift is growing between allies of former President Donald Trump and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson regarding the release of the U.S. Capitol riot footage from January 6, 2021.
Johnson’s Transparency Pledge
Mike Johnson committed in November to making all Capitol Hill security footage from January 6, 2021, which does not compromise sensitive or private information public.
“Truth and Transparency are Critical”
Johnson stated, “When I ran for Speaker, I promised to make accessible to the American people the 44,000 hours of video from Capitol Hill security taken on January 6, 2021. Truth and transparency are critical.”
90 Hours of Footage Released
The Committee on House Administration shared an initial batch of 90 hours of footage on the day of Johnson’s announcement.
Frustration among Trump Supporters
However, further disclosures have not followed this initial release, causing frustration and impatience among Trump supporters and Make America Great Again (MAGA) Republicans.
MAGA Republicans Demand More
MAGA Republicans have long argued that the full release of the footage is crucial to demonstrate that the riot was not as violent as portrayed.
Shaping January 6 Narrative
They express that the release of footage will reshape the narrative around the events of January 6, in contrast to the widespread view of a violent storming of the Capitol in response to Trump’s electoral defeat.
Concerns Over Privacy and Security
In a previous statement to Newsweek, Raj Shah, deputy chief of staff for Johnson, emphasized the need to blur faces in the footage to prevent retaliation against private citizens.
Trump Supporters Growing Impatient with Johnson
However, Trump supporters are expressing impatience with Johnson. Laura Loomer, a conservative activist, in a Sunday interview with Newsweek, accused Johnson of using the tapes to manipulate the Republican base.
Using Tapes for Manipulation
She remarked, “Mike Johnson is using the tapes as gaslighting to manipulate the base to make them think they’re going to do something [about January 6].”
Discontent with Footage Handling
Loomer added, “You mean to tell me we have the ability to run surveillance on every American, but can’t come up with a government database that will have an open source and web hosting location for 44,000 hours of footage? It’s BS.”
“You lied to the American People”
Loomer also took to social media, calling out Johnson for not keeping his promise.
She highlighted a post by Johnson from November about the release of the footage and responded, “You lied to the American people. Don’t make promises you have no intention of keeping.”
Calls for Footage Release on January 6 Anniversary
Jeff Clark, a co-defendant of Trump in the Georgia election interference case, echoed similar sentiments on social media, calling for the release of the Capitol riot footage on the anniversary of January 6.
“A Great Deal to the American People”
He posted, “On this, the third anniversary, of January 6, it would mean a great deal to the American people if [Johnson] made good on his promise and released all of the footage from the Capitol that day.”
Conspiracy Theories Arise After Footage Release
Following the release of 90 hours of footage, conspiracy theories have emerged, speculating whether federal agents played a role in organizing and inciting the January 6 unrest.
Federal Agents Involvement
Conspiracy theorists have singled out a specific clip they claim as evidence of federal agents’ involvement during the riot.
They argued that in the video, a rioter named Kevin Lyons was seen wearing a “MAGA” hat while flashing an official government identification badge at a camera.
Debunking the Theory
However, critics quickly pointed out that Lyons was holding a vape device, not a government ID, effectively debunking the theory. Some high-profile Republican lawmakers also initially supported these false claims.
Senator Lee Endorsed “Undercover Federal Agent” Theory
Senator Mike Lee of Utah was among the Republicans who had endorsed the theory, retweeting a post in November that questioned whether Lyons might be an “undercover federal agent.”
Questioning FBI Director Wray
Lee wrote in a post on X, which is still available, “I can’t wait to ask FBI Director Christopher Wray about this at our next oversight hearing. I predict that, as always, his answers will be 97% information-free.”
Disguised as a Trump Supporter
Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene also posted on X, referring to Lyons holding “a law enforcement badge in his hand while disguised as a Trump supporter in a MAGA hat.”
However, Greene later removed that line from her post.
Lyons Sentenced to Over Four Years
Lyons, 40, was sentenced in July 2023 to four years and three months in prison for his role in the January 6 riot.
Over 1,200 Charged in Capitol Riot Cases
Over 1,200 individuals have been charged with federal crimes in the riot, with more than 700 guilty pleas and about 170 convictions in trials.
Trump’s Legal Battle
The former President, Donald Trump, is facing legal challenges. He was indicted on four counts by the Department of Justice for his alleged role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.
Upcoming Trial
Trump’s trial is scheduled for March 2024, with him pleading not guilty to the charges and maintaining his innocence.
More from AllThingsFinance: Court Finally Unseals Secretive Case of Jan 6 Offender
Samuel Lazar sentenced for Jan. 6 insurrection; previously confidential case now revealed: Court Finally Unseals Secretive Case of Jan 6 Offender
Jack Smith continues pushing Judge Cannon, reminding her that “the speedy trial clock” is ticking
Jack Smith urges Judge Aileen Cannon for a speedy trial in a classified documents case involving ex-President Trump: Jack Smith continues pushing Judge Cannon, reminding her that “the speedy trial clock” is ticking
Defamation lawsuit against Kari Lake advances while people compare her to Rudy Giuliani
Kari Lake loses First Amendment right to accuse Maricopa County recorder; Arizona Republic ponders if she’s channeling Rudy Giuliani in her sleep : Defamation lawsuit against Kari Lake advances while people compare her to Rudy Giuliani
More Democrats are flipping in a crucial swing state than Republicans
In Pennsylvania, a significant number of registered Democrats flipping is sending an unflattering signal to President Biden: More Democrats are flipping in a crucial swing state than Republicans
