Earlier this month, newly-minted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy released thousands of hours of January 6th-related video footage to a popular Fox News anchor. The footage, which has since been disseminated to millions of viewers, shows a much different narrative of the events than has been projected by media outlets, liberal pundits, and Democratic politicians.
While I don’t wish to excuse the worst behavior of certain elements of the crowd, it’s clear that this was a far cry from the insurrectionist narrative we’ve been fed. Words and phrases like ‘insurrection,’ ‘attack on our democracy,’ ‘political coup,’ ‘sedition,’ and even comparing it to the events of 9-11 or Pearl Harbor have been thrown around thoughtlessly and with little consideration for the facts or the events that transpired.
The video tape shows one of the most notable and recognizable participants being escorted by police throughout the Capital Building, as if he was on a guided tour. A segment released by the Congressional Jan. 6 Commission seemingly shows Senator Josh Hawley running in fear from a hostile crowd. Further examination of the un-spliced footage shows instead that the Missouri Republican is actually being escorted by Capitol Police, and one of the last ones leaving the chamber.
Further review demonstrates that the only death that can be directly attributed to the events of that day is that of Ashli Babbit, an unarmed female Air Force veteran. Such mischaracterizations were commonplace throughout the media and on the blatantly biased commission, a committee that was chosen exclusively by former House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi.
Unsurprisingly, there has been a great deal of outcry about Speaker McCarthy’s decision. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer took to the Senate floor and lamented the Speaker’s move and even went so far as to accuse him of posing a national security threat. Some even seemed to border on calls for censorship.
I’ve read countless articles by leftist pundits who accuse both McCarthy and Fox News of trying to rewrite the events of that day and undermining national security. Precious little has been mentioned about the numerous civil liberties concerns raised about those who are currently being held for their participation. Criminal trespass seems like a much more fitting charge than anything related to sedition or insurrection.
There is little doubt that the release of this video footage severely undercuts the narrative of the last 26 months; it’s little wonder that liberals who are vested in their narrative of the events are unyielding and unwilling to cede any ground.
It seems as if the actions of the committee and the narrative portrayed by liberal pundits are more about punishing political dissidents and wielding leverage than protecting democracy. I commend Speaker McCarthy for his transparency. The slogan of the Washington Post — ‘Democracy Dies in Darkness’ — should give us pause; if there is any truth to this then sunlight is truly the best disinfectant.
– by Daniel Lee Gardner, Boulder
Feature image caption: The January 6th riot at the capitol. Courtesy Politico.
Read more from Daniel Lee Gardner in Constitution Day in the Land of Enchantment.