The US Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, was a dark day in American history. It saw a mob of protesters invade the Capitol building, leading to the deaths of several people. In the aftermath, many of those involved have been sentenced to hard time. However, one individual who played a key role in the events of that day, Ray Epps, remains free. This fact has led to many unanswered questions and conspiracy theories.
CBS recently produced a 60-minute interview with Ray Epps, self-proclaimed orchestrator and one of the main instigators of the Capitol riot. In the interview, he claimed that his goal was simply to help keep the peace, while President Trump was still speaking at the Ellipse. Epps walked toward the Capitol, telling 60 Minutes that he wanted to be up front to help keep the peace as the crowd started to gather at the Capitol and surround the fence that skirts the Capitol grounds. However, the video footage tells a different story.
Epps can be seen on video directing people toward the Capitol after Trump’s speech at the Ellipse, saying, “into the Capitol, where our problems are. It’s that direction.” He talks to Capitol Police at the second fence barrier and helps carry a massive Trump sign up the steps, which leads to the crowd breaching the line of police. The mob-like flurry of protesters then move closer to the Capitol building, where they shortly after enter inside, just as Epps said he wanted them to do the night before.
Epps was the only individual recorded on video encouraging protesters to enter the Capitol the day before. He has personal communications where he texted a family member claiming he helped orchestrate the event. So why isn’t he in prison or even being prosecuted? Protesters and trespassers have been sentenced to hard time for far less than the undeniable evidence against Epps. More pertinently, why is CBS portraying him as a harmless victim of conspiracy theories in their 60 Minutes of Peace, rather than as an accomplice to a supposed insurrection? None of this makes sense.
During the January 6th committee hearings, it came to light that Epps texted his nephew, telling him that very day that he led the protesters to the Capitol and helped orchestrate the breaching of the fenced Capitol grounds. “I was in front with a few others. I also orchestrated it,” Epps said. However, in his CBS interview, he simply claimed he was boasting and says he’s been sternly scolded by his wife for saying that – a just enough punishment.
Mysteriously, after being added to the FBI’s wanted list due to his participation in the protest-turned-riot, Epps was removed from the list and no longer pursued. Most individuals on that list have been prosecuted, and many are serving prison time for their participation. So why is Epps excluded from this punishment? Is it because he’s an FBI asset who was mistakenly placed on their most wanted list?
In the end, the unanswered questions surrounding Epps’ involvement in the Capitol riot have fueled conspiracy theories. Was he an FBI informant or a patriotic protester? Epps deflects the blame for his actions and the actions of all the protesters onto Fox News, Ted Cruz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, and Trump. However, many still believe that he was a key instigator of the events of January 6, 2021, and that justice has not been served.
