New Jan. 6 video raises many questions
Christopher Tremoglie
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Last night, Tucker Carlson released never-before-seen footage of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Much of the video shows the man known as the QAnon Shaman, Jacob Chansley, calmly walking around the building, escorted by police officers. It may not give a complete picture, but it still paints a much different picture than what Democrats and the Jan. 6 committee told the public. It’s yet another revelation that questions the credibility of what the nation’s elected leaders are telling people.
This is only the latest event that should make everyone ask: can we trust the government?
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Objectively, the video is damning. In stark contrast to the violent chaos that the Left amplified in the Jan. 6 committee hearings, Chansley was seen in what could only be described as being calmly escorted throughout the building. Without knowing the background of the events of that day, any person viewing the footage would think he was getting a tour of the Capitol. It doesn’t reinforce the notion that the Capitol was under siege or that the people inside felt their lives were at risk or in danger. And the fact that they didn’t show this video raises many questions about Democrats’ intentions.
This isn’t to say there wasn’t a threat because there clearly was. However, there is reason to suggest that the threat was exaggerated. Additionally, the new video does not excuse the rioters in any way. It does, however, raise skepticism that the investigation and subsequent hearings were little more than partisan, agenda-driving, political theater or show trials. The people were not told the entire truth about Jan. 6, and they should be wondering why not. If this piece of evidence was hidden from the public, what else are Democrats hiding and lying about?
It would be disingenuous to say the newly released footage fully exonerates anyone. People still rioted and stormed the Capitol, and that is, without a doubt, unquestionably wrong. Anyone claiming this is grounds for absolving people of wrongdoing, as many have claimed on social media, is as biased and misguided as those who made hyperbolic claims about Jan. 6. Nevertheless, this video shouldn’t be ignored or dismissed either. It contains a lot of footage, which, for whatever reason, Democrats didn’t want the public to see.
Naturally, the alleged outrage from the Left, Democrats, and some Republicans (Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney) was predictable. They denounced the video, condemned its release, and criticized Carlson for releasing the video. They accused him of all the things they may have been guilty of. However, everyone should be asking whether such outrage was warranted.
Were they upset the video was released because it distorts and manipulates the truth? Or were they upset because it revealed the committee’s dishonesty and a partisan-driven political agenda? That is just one of the many questions everyone should be asking. If it was the first, then they are justified in their reactions. If it was the latter, then Democrats have a lot of explaining to do.