Speaker of the House Mike Johnson released troves of video from the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, some of which captures a man — wearing a MAGA hat and a mask hiding his face — holding a shiny object in his hand. Many on the social media network X are claiming the man is flashing a badge and is a real police officer “fully disguised.”
When U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) shared the video and the assumption that the man is flashing a badge, he wrote: “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.”
I can’t wait to ask FBI Director Christopher Wray about this at our next oversight hearing.
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) November 19, 2023
I predict that, as always, his answers will be 97% information-free. https://t.co/m3rRE4Byfu
Even though X readers have added content to the video asserting that “the person is not flashing a badge. He is not a government employee or source. It is Kevin Lyons, who was recently sentenced to 4 years in jail for his actions on January 6th,” Lee has yet to remove the post.
Above is a photo of Lyons (still in hat and mask) flaunting a framed photograph he stole on January 6 from former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi‘s office.
Actually he’s not a cop, he’s holding a vape, and he’s got a photo he stole from Nancy Pelosi’s office hidden under there. He’s been sentenced to four years in prison. Nice try tho! https://t.co/ydJQWoKJKA pic.twitter.com/dGNX0UpizL
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) November 19, 2023
Former U.S Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-WY), who supported Trump’s second impeachment for his role in the January 6 attack of the U.S. Capitol and was made vice chair of the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, scolded Lee for his response.
Cheney wrote to Lee: “You’re a lawyer, Mike. You’re capable of understanding the scores of J6 verdicts & rulings in our federal courts.” She added: “You didn’t object to electors on J6 because you knew what Trump was doing was unconstitutional & you know what you’re doing now is wrong.”
You’re a lawyer, Mike. You’re capable of understanding the scores of J6 verdicts & rulings in our federal courts. E.g. https://t.co/wEDNB165Za. You didn’t object to electors on J6 because you knew what Trump was doing was unconstitutional & you know what you’re doing now is wrong https://t.co/uGibe7lapH
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) November 20, 2023
Cheney added: “A nutball conspiracy theorist appears to be posting from your account.”
Shouldn't the J6 committee have been demanding answers to this question?https://t.co/g6g2mm7zLV https://t.co/IQC10Saf1z
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) November 19, 2023
As a consequence of her service as vice chairperson on the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, Cheney was censured by the RNC in February 2022 and lost re-nomination in Wyoming’s Republican primary to Trump-endorsed Harriet Hageman in August 2022.
Cheney, also a lawyer, is currently a professor of practice at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.
