Jan. 6 Committee Releases Capitol Tour Footage

JUN 16 2022·Updated JAN 20 2023

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Image credit: The Washington Post

The Facts

On Wed., the Jan. 6 committee released footage of a tour led by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) the day before the riots that appears to show individuals photographing and recording areas of the US Capitol complex.
The New York Times
The committee alleges that the areas are "not typically of interest to tourists, including hallways, staircases and security checkpoints," and sent a letter to Loudermilk requesting his cooperation in answering questions about the tour.
The New York Times
As part of his work on the House Administration Committee, Loudermilk previously claimed to have reviewed security footage of the Capitol in the days before Jan. 6. The committee concluded that "there were no tours, no large groups, no one with MAGA hats on."
CBS News
This follows a letter released on Mon. by J. Thomas Manger, Chief of the Capitol Police, that confirmed the police had reviewed the footage and found nothing suspicious.
wapo
The select committee identified one of the individuals on the tour as a participant in the Jan. 6 riots. That individual was captured on video making threatening remarks against members of Congress.
The New York Times
Rep. Loudermilk rejected the insinuations that there was anything suspicious about the tour. On Wed. night he asserted that the tour group members were taking pictures of children's artwork, trolleys, and trains, not conducting reconnaissance.
Newsweek

Sources Split

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The Spin

Republican narrative

Capitol Police already reviewed the footage in question and the Chief concluded that there was nothing suspicious about the tour. But the Jan. 6 Committee is now willing to politicize its own police force in the interest of scoring partisan points. Is there no end to the witch hunt?

Daily Caller

Democratic narrative

Contrary to Rep. Loudermilk's claims, this isn't normal. The fact that one of the people identified in the video participated in the Jan. 6 attack in itself is suspicious. Loudermilk needs to answer for his earlier lies and deflections about the tour, and these new developments should be thoroughly investigated.

Raw Story