• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Top FBI official dodges questions about federal agents’ involvement in Capitol riot

Jill Sanborn

Jill Sanborn (Twitter)

January 11, 2022
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

WASHINGTON – Executive assistant director for the FBI’s national security branch Jill Sanborn was grilled by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on whether or not federal agents or confidential informants played a role in the Jan. 6,  2021, Capitol riot.

The senior FBI official deflected and demurred throughout the senator’s questioning, which further raised suspicions about whether federal agents helped stoke the event.

At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled, “The Domestic Terrorism Threat One Year After January 6,” Cruz asked Sanborn about suspicions that government officials encouraged lawless behavior during the protest, Fox News reported Tuesday.

“How many FBI agents or confidential informants actively participated in the events of Jan. 6?” Cruz asked.

In response, Sanborn said she could not discuss “the specifics of sources and methods” of the FBI.

Therefore, Cruz broadened his question by asking if any FBI agents or confidential informants actively participated in the riot.

“Sir, I can’t answer that,” she said.

Ted Cruz
Sen. Ted Cruz (Twitter)

Cruz queried whether any agents or confidential informants committed crimes of violence on Jan. 6. However, Sanborn’s response continued to be deflective as if she were safeguarding top secret information.

Nevertheless, Cruz continued to seeks information as he asked if any agents or confidential informants “actively encouraged” crimes of violence on Jan. 6.

“Sir, I can’t answer that.”

Sen. Ted Cruz: "Did any FBI agents or confidential informants actively participate in the events of January 6th? Yes or no?"

FBI: "Sir, I can't answer that." pic.twitter.com/mjL6SeHWei

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) January 11, 2022

Cruz then brought up the controversial figure Ray Epps. He was seen on video the day prior to the riot telling a crowd, “Tomorrow, we need to get into the Capitol! Into the Capitol!” The crowd responded by shouting, “Fed! Fed! Fed!” at him, Fox reported.

Later, Epps said he was not encouraging wrongdoing.

“The only thing that meant is we would go in the doors like everyone else. It was totally, totally wrong the way they went in,” he told the Arizona Republic.

Other video taken the next day shows a man who resembles Epps outside the U.S. Capitol, wearing desert camouflage and an identical red Trump hat. One video shows people in the crowd smashing police barricades and pushing past officers. The man resembling Epps stands among them, but does not appear to shove the barricades, the Arizona Republic reported. 

IMPORTANT: this is exact moment the siege of the Capitol building began as the two men in front ripped down a preliminary barrier & rushed officers who were behind a 2nd barrier

They then encouraged others to follow their lead. Officers appeared to be taken completely off guard pic.twitter.com/LE0a01PXBi

— MASS FORMATION PSYCHOSIS 🇺🇸🇦🇺 (@ElijahSchaffer) January 6, 2021

Epps was highlighted on an FBI bulletin, but was never arrested or prosecuted, Daily Mail reported. Moreover, details related to him were subsequently removed.

This seems to lack explanation since the feds have made 725 arrests related to the Jan. 6 riots and seek another 350 people for alleged violations, Law Officer reported.

Right-wing blog Revolver reported on the theory and pointed to the fact that Epps was never arrested and that his details were removed from the FBI wanted list in July without any action against him

“Miss Sanborn, was Ray Epps a fed?” Cruz asked.

“Sir, I cannot answer that question,” Sanborn replied.

Cruz asked more questions about Epps’ actions, and Sanborn said she could not answer.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Capitol riotJill Sanbornmust-readTed Cruzwashington dc
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Tarik Johnson

Jan. 6 Select Committee fails to interview key witness, Capitol Police Officer Tarik Johnson

March 8, 2023

DC man who pushed “justice reform” bill shot dead on the day it passes

November 24, 2022
Steve Nothem

Texas police officer dies after being struck by vehicle during DUI investigation

October 19, 2022
Bristol officer

Connecticut Inspector General’s Office releases heroic bodycam footage of Bristol officer-involved shooting

October 18, 2022
San Antonio officer

Experts weigh in after 5th San Antonio officer dies by suicide in past 7 months

October 17, 2022
Natalie Young

California police sergeant pins badge on 22-year-old woman he saved as a baby

October 11, 2022
Load More

Latest Articles

Joseph Watson

Oklahoma airport shooter pleads guilty to 8 counts, receives split life sentence

March 27, 2023
Georgia homeowner

Georgia homeowner fatally shoots burglary suspect breaking into house

March 27, 2023
loose tire

Loose tire launches car airborne on California freeway

March 27, 2023
six young girls killed

Six young girls killed in Tennessee highway crash after car flips, passengers ejected

March 26, 2023
Border Patrol Agents

Border Patrol Agents Doubling as EMTs

March 26, 2023
Florida officer critical

Florida officer critical, suspect dead by suicide, police say

March 26, 2023
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com