Federal authorities refuse to explain why three men involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol protests disappeared from the FBI’s Capitol Violence Most Wanted list seemingly overnight, according to the Washington Examiner.
The first man, who is still unidentified, was seen wearing an earpiece during the Capitol event and carrying what appeared to be a concealed handgun on his left hip. He appeared on the FBI’s most wanted list for more than five months, but was suddenly removed without explanation. That same day, the New York Times reported an FBI informant had been present at the riot.
My original sheet on #gingergun pic.twitter.com/XKRtJAQVnK
— opensintel (@opensintel) January 15, 2021
The second man, also unidentified, was filmed hitting Capitol Police officers with a baton during the riot. Just weeks after he was put on the FBI’s most wanted list for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer, the agency removed him without explanation in late February 2021.
And another update for #SeditionHunters: this is #HarleyJacketBatonMan, beating cops on the L side of the W. Terrace door / tunnel arch. @SeditionHunters pic.twitter.com/DA7ja0kPUe
— capitolhunters (@capitolhunters) January 22, 2021
The third man, identified as Ray Epps of Arizona, was filmed encouraging pro-Trump supporters to enter the U.S. Capitol building the day before the riot. He, too, was removed from the FBI’s most wanted list on July 1.
Each of these men is believed to be a part of a broader conspiracy involving federal authorities, according to Republicans. Epps, specifically, is rumored to be an FBI plant.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., pressed Attorney General Merrick Garland last year on why Epps was removed from the FBI’s most wanted list, suggesting the reason was because Epps was working on behalf of the Justice Department.
Attorney General Merrick Garland can absolutely answer questions about whether Feds encouraged the January 6 crowd to breach the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/nSlD3qN7Rm
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) October 26, 2021
