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January 6th Committee Faces Allegations of Misconduct in Capitol Riot Investigation
A recent social media post by conservative influencer Gunther Eagleman, shared on X on May 18, 2025, has reignited controversy over the January 6th Select Committee’s investigation into the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot.
The post, accompanied by an image of the committee during a hearing, makes several pointed claims about the events of January 6, 2021, accusing the committee of covering up what Eagleman describes as a staged event orchestrated by Nancy Pelosi and the FBI. The allegations have sparked widespread discussion on X, with some users supporting the claims and others calling for further scrutiny.
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Eagleman’s post lists seven specific assertions about January 6th:
- Capitol Police opened the doors and invited protesters in: This claim suggests that law enforcement facilitated the entry of protesters into the Capitol. A Wikipedia entry (updated May 17, 2025) notes that at 1:58 p.m., Capitol Police officers removed a barricade on the northeast side of the Capitol, allowing hundreds of protesters onto the grounds. Additionally, a February 2021 confidence vote by the U.S. Capitol Police Labor Committee revealed that 92 percent of officers had no confidence in their leadership, citing inadequate preparation despite prior knowledge of potential violence. Some defendants, as noted in a Wikipedia article (updated May 3, 2025), claimed in court filings that they believed they were free to enter the Capitol because officers did not stop them or explicitly tell them otherwise.
- Innocent people went to jail: Eagleman asserts that individuals were unjustly incarcerated. Official records from the Department of Justice (2025) indicate that over 1,200 individuals were charged in connection with the riot, with crimes ranging from misdemeanors to felonies like assault on officers. However, on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump granted clemency to all but 14 of those federally charged, erasing convictions for approximately 1,270 people and commuting the sentences of the remaining 14 to “time served,” according to a Wikipedia entry (updated May 3, 2025). This action has been interpreted by some as an acknowledgment that many prosecutions may have been overly punitive.
- Nancy Pelosi and the FBI staged the events: Eagleman claims that then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the FBI orchestrated the riot. While no direct evidence from official investigations supports this, related X posts amplify the narrative. A post by Jimmy Dore (@jimmy_dore) on November 25, 2023, cites a video allegedly featuring Nancy Pelosi’s daughter admitting January 6 was a “set up” by the establishment, though the video’s authenticity and context remain unverified in the provided data. An FBI statement from Director Christopher Wray (July 21, 2022) emphasizes the agency’s role in investigating the riot, deploying resources like the Hostage Rescue Team and Evidence Response Teams, but does not address allegations of staging the event.
- Antifa was paid to agitate: The post alleges that Antifa members were paid to provoke the crowd. A Wikipedia entry (updated May 3, 2025) cites a defendant, James Little, who blamed Antifa and Black Lives Matter for inciting violence, but no official investigation has confirmed payments or Antifa’s involvement. The FBI’s 2022 statement notes that the agency does not tolerate violent extremists using First Amendment-protected activity as a guise for criminal behavior, but it does not specifically address Antifa’s role.
- It was not an insurrection: Eagleman disputes the characterization of January 6 as an insurrection, claiming no one was trying to overthrow the government. Some X users, like RandiRebuke2025 (@WatchfulVOTER24) on May 18, 2025, argue that the lack of weapons among protesters undermines the insurrection narrative, questioning how an unarmed group could forcibly overturn an election.
- Nobody was trying to overthrow the government: This claim aligns with the previous point, asserting that the protesters’ actions did not constitute an attempt to seize power. The clemency granted by President Trump in 2025 has fueled arguments that the government’s response may have overstated the threat posed by many participants.
- An innocent woman was murdered by Capitol Police: Eagleman refers to Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer during the riot. An Associated Press article (May 2, 2025) reports that the Trump administration reached a preliminary agreement to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Babbitt’s estate, which sought $30 million and argued that she posed no threat. The DOJ, however, cleared the officer of wrongdoing in April 2021, concluding that Babbitt was shot while attempting to climb through a broken glass door in the Speaker’s Lobby, an area near the House chamber where lawmakers were present. The officer stated in a televised interview that he fired as a “last resort,” unaware if Babbitt was armed.
Eagleman’s post concludes by calling for the January 6th Select Committee to be held accountable, a sentiment echoed by other X users. Tim Hale (@LouisofMonmouth), who replied on May 18, 2025, and claimed to have been present at the Capitol, stated that four protesters died during the event, not just Babbitt, and that no officers died, challenging mainstream narratives.
Deplorable Weirdo (@SchoenPhotog) also replied, alleging that the event was a “trap” set by government officials, including Pelosi, and accusing the committee of ignoring exculpatory evidence and lying under oath.
Official investigations have not substantiated claims of a staged event or a cover-up by the committee. The FBI’s 2022 statement underscores its commitment to pursuing those involved in criminal activity on January 6, and the DOJ’s actions resulted in significant charges
However, the clemency granted by President Trump and ongoing skepticism from segments of the public highlight the persistent divide over the events of January 6, 2021, and the government’s response to them.
The debate continues to unfold.
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