McCarthy Agrees to Full Public Release of Jan. 6 Tapes

Kevin McCarthy, the House Speaker (Republican from California), has agreed to release all security footage taken at the U.S. Capitol in the wake of events on Jan. 6, 2021.

McCarthy spoke with Breitbart News on Thursday about his decision to share footage with Tucker Carlson, Fox News host. He said that defendants facing criminal charges for going to the Capitol Jan. 6 should have the ability to view the footage in court to support their defense.

When asked if he would openly release Capitol security footage, the Republican House speaker replied in the affirmative. He then added that the footage would have to pass security review.

“We just want to make sure we go through them all, and it takes time,” He said.

McCarthy’s assurances that he would pursue broad public release for the security footage is a sign of growing concern among January 6 defendants Their trials have been delayed because they requested it. So they can view the security footage.

McCarthy said to Breitbart, that he didn’t make any judgments on what security footage showed. However, he stated that “to be fair in equal justice, if there’s any person that’s accused, they should be able to have a right to see the tapes to make their own defense.”

Some of the Capitol security footage that Carlson aired on Monday night showed police officers leading Jacob Chansley—the so-called QAnon Shaman—around the building. Carlson described officers as acting in a manner similar to “tour guides” Chansley pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a charge of “obstruction of an official proceeding” He was sentenced to over four and a quarter years in prison.

After viewing the footage, Chansley’s former attorney Albert Watkins was moved to tears. Submitted Fox News reported that Watkins had not been able review the same footage before his client signed the plea agreement. Watkins stated that he had sought any evidence to support his client’s innocence, and that prosecutors had provided the footage regardless of Watkins’ requests. “an absolute duty” To provide such evidence.

Democrats say McCarthy is jeopardizing Capitol Security

McCarthy was accused by several Democratic lawmakers of putting at risk the security of the U.S. Capitol through his decision to share security footage and Carlson with the public.

In Interview MSNBC: Rep. Eric Swalwell, (D-Calif.), stated that sharing Jan. 6 Capitol security footage would allow McCarthy to be informed. “just gave the proudest boy of all a blueprint for the Capitol … who knows where that will land for the next insurrection.”

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) has McCarthy “owes the American people an explanation of why he has done so and what steps he has taken to address the significant security concerns at stake.”

Republicans have denied that they are infringing security by sharing footage. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R.-Ga.), made the claim last week. Carlson’s Fox News crew was not allowed to see the tapes. Instead, they had to request footage. This would be followed by a security review.

McCarthy stated again during the Breitbart news interview that a security team was reviewing the footage and sharing it with the media and the wider public. McCarthy explained that the review will look for security details such as exits for lawmakers and special entry points.

“The most interesting thing, when I sat down, when I had the team talk to the Capitol police about making sure they had no problems with the exits and so on, they said [the Democrat-led Jan. 6 Committee], never asked them that,” McCarthy said to Breitbart that McCarthy had told the committee. “showed the exit of the vice president, they showed the exit from my office, they literally had [then-House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi’s daughter showing a secure location that they take the leadership. That’s not supposed to be known to anybody, and CNN reported it, and I don’t remember the press ever getting upset with that.”

McCarthy also attacked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-N.Y.), after Carlson accused him of downplaying events of Jan. 6, 2021. He called on Fox News to block Carlson’s sharing of additional footage.

“I wish Chuck Schumer would read the Constitution,” McCarthy stated. “The Democrats always go to censorship. … They want to use government as much as they can to censor people.”

From NTD News