Ray Epps : The Arizona man who was the focus of conspiracy theories online when he walked into protests in front of the Capitol on Jan. 6 2021, informed an House panel that he was not doing anything illegal for the government at the time of the attack, and that the assault against him has destroyed his life.
Epps stated to in the January. 6-th committee he did not work with The CIA and/or The National Security Agency or the Washington Metropolitan Police Department.
“The only time I’ve been involved with the government was when I was a Marine in the United States Marine Corps,” Epps stated.
The notion the idea that Epps had been working with the FBI was never a good idea since his photo was featured onto an FBI poster right following the attack.
Epps who was a fan of the former president Donald Trump, said in the interview that was released on Thursday that his children were “picked on at school” due to his conduct. There have been threats to kill him. His business has suffered. Visitors have flocked to his home.
“We had a tour bus come by our home and our business with all these whacked out people in it,” Epps stated. “There are good people out there that was in Washington. Those aren’t the people that’s coming by our house. This attracts — when they do this sort of thing, this attracts all the crazies out there.”
Epps was captured on video telling fellow Trump supporters on the night prior to attacks that they had to enter the Capitol. Epps stated to the committee that they were under the impression that the Capitol was not accessible to the public due to Covid restrictions, would soon be fully accessible.
“The Capitol is the people’s house and the rotunda — people can go into the rotunda and — and see what’s happening there. My vision was, get as many people in there as we can and surround it, be there, let them know that we’re not happy with the — with what — what has happened, and that was it. No violence,” Epps declared. “I never intended to break the law. It’s not in my DNA. I’ve never — I’m sure you’ve looked up my record. I don’t break the law.”
Epps opinion on the possibility of entering his home, as he claimed that he would be allowed to enter in January. 6. The body camera footage shows Epps asking police officers what he could do to help by helping move crowds away towards the lines of the police, and also away from steps. He then looks at those in the crowd and attempts to persuade them to relax. Another rioter who was one of the first to break through the barricades, said to authorities that Epps advised that he should “relax” and that police were doing their job.
Ray Epps left after assisting an individual suffering from an episode of illness He told. “I simply looked around as I felt sick. There was lots of tear gas and plenty of bloody things happening.” He said that he assisted in moving the man off the structure. He put him on the tree. He was planning to call 911, however, the man waved away. He stated that it was time to leave at the time.
“I observed people crawling around the Capitol and climbing up the walls. It made me feel sick in my stomach. … There was no reason for returning. The idea had gone far beyond what I had envisioned it to have been,” Epps said.
Ray Epps earlier spoke with The New York Times about the events of Jan. 6. January. 6 committee issued an announcement following the Jan. 21, 2022 interview with Epps dispelling conspiracy theories floated by the other lawmakers of Congress.
In his appearance before committee members on the January. 6 , committee Epps describes a message that he texted to his nephew around 2:12 p.m. on Jan. 6. He said he was open as well as having “orchestrated” things. He claims he was unaware of the circumstances. In that exact moment the rioter was slamming on a glass window that led to the Capitol however, Ray Epps stated that he was no more in that particular Capitol complex.
“At that point, I didn’t know that they were breaking into the Capitol,” he explained. “I didn’t know anybody was in the Capitol. … I was on my way back to the hotel room.”
After having explained to the committee about how conspiracy theories have destroyed his life, Epps continued to repeat various unsubstantiated claims regarding the 2020 election, including the claims was the claim that “antifa” infiltrated the mob.
Epps specifically cited Republican Representatives. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia as individuals who spread lies about him.
“I mean, it’s real crazy stuff, and [Massie] brought that kind of stuff to the floor of the House. When that happened, it just blew up. It got really, really bad,” he added. “Him and, oh my god Gaetz and Greene and they’re just blowing it up. It became really difficult following the fact. The crazy people started coming out from the shadows. “Epps was not able to attribute the same level or blame for Trump and has promoted the conspiracy theory in the Senate, telling the committee the president believes Trump was fed false information.
