FBI Director Christopher A. Wray turned visibly agitated as he strongly pushed again in opposition to strategies that undercover FBI brokers and a person named Ray Epps instigated the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol.
“If you are suggesting that the violence that happened at the Capitol on Jan. 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources or FBI agents, the answer is ‘no, it was not’ and to suggest otherwise is a disservice to our hardworking, dedicated law enforcement professionals,” Mr. Wray mentioned in testimony earlier than the House Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Wray was responding to questions from Rep. Troy Nehls, Texas Republican, who accused Mr. Wray of protecting up Mr. Epps’ function within the assault.
Some Republicans and Trump supporters have accused Mr. Epps, a former Marine who was on the Capitol on Jan. 6, of being an FBI plant who inspired the pro-Trump mob to riot with the intention to cease Congress from certifying President Biden’s 2020 election win.
Mr. Epps has denied the allegations and insists he by no means labored for regulation enforcement. On Wednesday, he filed a lawsuit in opposition to Fox News, accusing the community of defamation for selling the story that he’s an spy who inspired rioters to change into violent.
He may be seen on video on Jan. 6 encouraging demonstrators to march with him and enter the Capitol. At one level he pushed previous a police barricade right into a restricted a part of the Capitol grounds, however he additionally pleaded for restraint throughout one other a part of the video.
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“Ok, folks spread the word! As soon as the president is done speaking, we go to the Capitol. The Capitol is this direction,” he mentioned on the video.
He was additionally seen on video the night time of Jan. 5, 2021, asking different folks to “go into the Capitol” the following day earlier than others started chanting “Fed, Fed, Fed” at him.
The concept that Mr. Epps was an spy has been fueled by the truth that he’s not among the many a whole bunch going through prison fees stemming from the assault. Proponents of this concept say that’s as a result of the Justice Department is defending him.
Mr. Nehls famous that three individuals who by no means entered the Capitol are going through prison fees for his or her actions on Jan. 6, however Mr. Epps has not been charged.
“Are you going to arrest Mr. Epps? Yes or No?” Mr. Nehls requested Mr. Wray. “You can see him [on video]. He’s encouraging people — I almost think he’s inciting a riot — the night prior, to go into the Capitol; the day of, to go into the Capitol and he was at the first breach and he breached the restricted area.”
“If you don’t arrest Mr. Epps, there is a reason behind it. I believe you know it is. It seems to me you are protecting this guy,” Mr. Nehls mentioned.
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Mr. Wray fired again, “It has never been appropriate for an FBI director in congressional testimony to be weighing in on who is or isn’t going to be arrested and who is or isn’t going to get charged when it’s a prosecutor’s decision.”
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