Tearex, It never takes long for you and others of your ilk to bring hatred into your debate. All the hatred on Jan. 6 was clearly on the offensive side. On your side. And all of it is on your side here.
The far-right thinks they’ve finally found the ‘fed’ who instigated the Capitol riot An Arizona man named Ray Epps has become the focus of politicians and commentators on the right. Mikael Thalen Mikael Thalen Tech Published Oct 26, 2021 Updated Oct 26, 2021, 12:03 pm CDT Conservatives are hyping a new unfounded theory that once again shifts the blame for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot from supporters of President Donald Trump to the FBI.
In an 18,000-plus word article published on Monday, the independent blog Revolver attempts to suggest that a “Fed-Protected Provocateur” named Ray Epps is the true culprit behind the failed insurrection.
But the article, touted across social media by prominent right-wing figures, provides no actual concrete evidence for the claim and instead relies almost entirely on speculation.
Epps’ name was thrust back into the national spotlight last week after Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky) showed video of the Arizona man at the Capitol during an oversight hearing with Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Massie questioned Garland on whether federal agents had “agitated” Trump supporters into storming the Capitol while insinuating that Epps may have had ties to the FBI. Garland responded by stating that the Department of Justice (DOJ) does not comment on pending investigations.
Epps first became known in the days following Jan. 6 after he was seen in footage not only on the day of the riot but in video captured the evening prior. In the numerous videos, the former Marine Sergeant and former Oath Keepers militia member can be heard repeatedly calling for his fellow protesters to enter the Capitol “peacefully.”
The commentary from Epps was seen as suspicious by some, including several individuals who accused him on camera of acting like a “fed” during a gathering on the evening of Jan. 5.
Yet the evidence cited by Revolver never confirms Epps to be a federal informant.
One of Revolver’s arguments surrounds the fact that Epps’ name was removed from the FBI’s Capitol Violence Most Wanted List in July. The removal, Revolver argues, indicates that the bureau was almost certainly attempting to scrub their knowledge of Epps.
In reality, Epps removal only confirms that the FBI is no longer seeking the public’s assistance in locating the military veteran. Numerous scenarios, including the possibility that Epps was interviewed by the FBI, could just as easily explain the removal. No evidence has been made public, however, to prove any theory.
Revolver also suggests that a lack of public charges for Epps should also be viewed with suspicion.
“Ray Epps is a free man. He has never been arrested or charged,” the blog states. “Nearly 10 months after January 6, the FBI and Justice Department still refuse to comment on whether Epps has ever been served a search warrant.”
But in all the available footage, Epps never actually entered the Capitol or engaged in violence like those who have been arrested. Whether Epps could be successfully prosecuted for just telling people that they should enter the Capitol is questionable. Many others who did enter the Capitol that day still have not been arrested, as the FBI investigation is on going.
Tearex, So now i see Epps is your latest rt-wing attachment. What's the big deal with him. An Arizona businessman, ex?-Oathkeeper, who some conspiracy pushers are labeling a Fed.
I can't see yet any evidence he ever has worked with the Feds. Have you got any link suggesting he has??
The fact Garland won't answer questions re that means nothing. That's common practice.
Anyway here are two links you could have included when you first mentioned him.
The far-right thinks they’ve finally found the ‘fed’ who instigated the Capitol riot
An Arizona man named Ray Epps has become the focus of politicians and commentators on the right.
Mikael Thalen Tech Published Oct 26, 2021 Updated Oct 26, 2021, 12:03 pm CDT
[...]
Epps first became known in the days following Jan. 6 after he was seen in footage not only on the day of the riot but in video captured the evening prior. In the numerous videos, the former Marine Sergeant and former Oath Keepers militia member can be heard repeatedly calling for his fellow protesters to enter the Capitol “peacefully.”
Arizona man who was at U.S. Capitol Jan. 6 featured in video during House hearing with AG Merrick Garland
Anne Ryman Arizona Republic Oct 22 2021
[...]
In a video from January, Epps tells the interviewer he is from Queen Creek and is "with the Knotty Barn."
Webpages for the Knotty Barn, a Western-themed wedding venue, and Rocking R Farms in Queen Creek describe Ray Epps as the owner. The site previously included photos of him, though those photos have been removed since Jan. 6.
[...]
In a video from January, Epps tells the interviewer he is from Queen Creek and is "with the Knotty Barn."
Webpages for the Knotty Barn, a Western-themed wedding venue, and Rocking R Farms in Queen Creek describe Ray Epps as the owner. The site previously included photos of him, though those photos have been removed since Jan. 6.
[...]
Epps may have longtime ties to the Oath Keepers, which experts say started during the Obama administration as a group to fight what it saw as federal government overreach and has since become more of an extremist group.
Some Oath Keepers members have been charged in the Jan. 6 riot.
The whistleblower group Distributed Denial of Secrets released a database hacked from the Oath Keepers website, which includes a file that purportedly provides names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of almost 40,000 members. Those fields appear to be based on a sign-up form. USA TODAY reporters have independently verified the accuracy of dozens of members whose names appear on the list.
That database lists Epps as a member, and includes a home address for him, which matches the address of a home in Mesa that Epps owned until 2010. The database lists a membership number for each person, numbering to more than 38,000. Epps' number is in the 400s, suggesting he may have been added to the list early on.
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